I blomped up a tiefling rogue on DNDBeyond. I blame watching Loki on DisneyPlus--your typical trying to be nasty, actually caring about their friends, easily flustered rogue. ;)So my buddy Black Dow who might be joining us later told me by PM he is also thinking of a tiefling rogue. So this is fine, but tieflings are exceedingly rare in the setting. To the point that when I scanned the 500 page setting pdf, the word isn't in there once. So I would say this means they are not a race that breeds true. You wouldn't have a tiefling mom and dad from a tiefling community, you would basically be cursed and everyone is freaked out.
So I would say if Black Dow is going to be around, you two should be connected. Doesn't have to be siblings, maybe you didn't even know each other before the adventure, but there's probably some reason you guys both have horns or whatever.
I mean that's quite a story seed right there.
Also, expect a lot of reactions from town guards and such.
And no, two rogues is not a problem.
All fair and good; and no expectations to be chosen when just trying a character in an interest thread. While I haven't read the Joe Abercrombie books (Black Dow? :) ) I have read all of Erin M. Evans' excellent tiefling sibling books--very fun reads.
The idea I had was a Hill Dwarven wanderer, an older fellow who has taken up a bow and arrow in favor of his hammer due to his advancing years. His children are grown at this point, and he's just traveling the land looking for adventure and people to help so as to relive the glory days of his youth, although hopefully with a bit more wisdom than before, and a lot more actually helping people.
Mechanically, I really like running fighters as archers in 5e, and getting to shoot lots of arrows. Archetype dependent on which books are allowed.
I’d be interested in a bard. Very well educated, scholarly but personable and passionate, and a bit jaded. A wanderer. Some kind of race like half-elf which doesn’t quite fit neatly into one category.
I see obvious hook connections to the archeological and academy hooks. Maybe they worked for a religious organization at some point but rolled their eyes at some traditions when no one was looking.
Ok this could be a helpful device for linking events in different cities.
Endhome
The port city of Endhome is surrounded by a 20-foot-high stone wall with parapets and towers that is split in two by the Gaelon River. Many sailing ships are docked here or moored in the river awaiting cargo.
The city of Endhome proclaims itself “Trade Capital of the Continent.” Even though Bard’s Gate is obviously a contender for the same claim, the fact of the matter is that Endhome, as a seaport, moves more trade through its docks on a daily basis than Bard’s Gate. Endhome merchants scour the world for bargains, make long-term contracts, and jostle with the sharpest traders in the Lost Lands, and by doing so they still manage to remain ahead of Bard’s Gate as a trading hub.
One of the city’s most famous institutions — the Endhome Academy of Wizardry, Alchemy and Arcane Knowledge — is almost as old as the city itself and has grown along with Endhome. Founded in the earliest days of the Hyperborean Age by the wizard Basil Strom, the academy’s influence has much to do with the city’s continued neutrality, for its doors are open to all who wish to learn the ways of arcane magic, and many arcane practitioners make the equivalent of a religious pilgrimage to acquire mystical knowledge and peruse its collection of tomes and rare writings. Many consider the renowned magical institute to be the finest training program for wizards on the continent, though its vaunted library rarely lives up to the hyperbole surrounding it.
Endhome is a place of intrigue and double-dealing, as trade houses seek to outdo each other and steal each other’s secrets, while the Wizard’s Academy provides facilities and learning to arcanists from across the continent and beyond. The sewers beneath the city are a marvel of advanced design but sections are also ancient and labyrinthine, rumored to harbor hordes of ferocious rodents, wererats, slimes, and other fearsome creatures. Work patrolling the sewers is among the most onerous in the city.
The lands beyond the city walls are hazardous and frequently plagued by bandits and raiding monsters, but the most notable aspect of Endhome’s environs is the ancient Lost City of Barakus. Built 12,000 years ago by the ancient Phoromyceaen civilization, the city’s remains lie beneath the Duskmoon Hills. Most of the city’s depths remain unexplored, but the Old Tusk orcs, followers of Orcus, were driven out of the place 20 years ago. Terrible rumors surround Barakus, including tales of demons, powerful undead, and powerful magical artifacts — more than enough to draw adventurers from far and wide, though so far it has swallowed up those who hope to plumb its secrets.
There is a university in the small town where the investigation adventure takes place as well, so a scholastic type character could have occasion to travel between these two points.
All fair and good; and no expectations to be chosen when just trying a character in an interest thread. While I haven't read the Joe Abercrombie books (Black Dow? :) ) I have read all of Erin M. Evans' excellent tiefling sibling books--very fun reads.
Right, not choosing anyone yet. My intention is just to increase the chances of characters being generated who have some connections to each other and the adventure. And in turn I can generate content for the adventure by feeding off the characters.
Mechanically, I really like running fighters as archers in 5e, and getting to shoot lots of arrows. Archetype dependent on which books are allowed.
I am ok with all the WOTC hardcovers. I'll do a thread with char gen and all that later. Just looking to spark some ideas now.
Here is the battle smith stuff if you want to peruse it. I'd basically have a little robot protector to assist me in saving lives and kicking but. Kind of a mix of steampunk-ish with magical goodness.
But it also occurs to me that that section of the coast was supposed to have lots of pirates - which brings me to an idea, what is Endhomes stance on pirates? If I were a former and not very successful pirate, would I be welcome, or would I be having to hide my sordid past?
Hey Locmore, great question.
Endhome is a trade capital, and a seaport. As such it is very concerned with it's ability to levee taxes on products and goods. There is a saying "Ten eggs makes an Endhome dozen," meaning that the city is expected to take a share for providing a neutral forum for commerce. And this is mostly considered fair.
There are actual soldiers posted throughout the city and on it's 20 foot parapet walls. Not just guards but actual infantry, artillery and cavalry and they are known to patrol even alleys.
Gangs and criminals do exist but they really prey upon poor neighborhoods.
Now, that being said, the wealthy and influential families who hold sway over the governance of the city are rumored to have gotten ahead in life by illicit means. Quinchino's, Gaspar's, Pulanti's, everyone knows the names of these families who seem quite happy to have had the same Governor in power for so long it's now taken for granted.
So, it's not a question of what is in your past, but how well you carry it off.
Of course starting at first level you should have humble beginnings.
Here is the battle smith stuff if you want to peruse it. I'd basically have a little robot protector to assist me in saving lives and kicking but. Kind of a mix of steampunk-ish with magical goodness.
Yeah, so like I was saying this setting normally doesn't have steampunk level tech or anything, but I really don't find it hard to imagine a gnome with a marvel you don't see every day. It really doesn't bother me. Aesthetically are you picturing a straight port over from eberron warforged style, or something else?
Like on a scale of tin man from oz, to BB8 what does this thing look like?
Anyway the motivations you gave the character have strong ties to the adventure which helps me.
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Yeah, so like I was saying this setting normally doesn't have steampunk level tech or anything, but I really don't find it hard to imagine a gnome with a marvel you don't see every day. It really doesn't bother me. Aesthetically are you picturing a straight port over from eberron warforged style, or something else?
Like on a scale of tin man from oz, to BB8 what does this thing look like?
Anyway the motivations you gave the character have strong ties to the adventure which helps me.
Of course not, I wasn't expecting the setting itself to be that aesthetic at all. I was thinking of having his stuff be inspired, look-wise, by some of the dwemer stuff from the Elder Scrolls. This would be his little buddy.
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There is a university in the small town where the investigation adventure takes place as well, so a scholastic type character could have occasion to travel between these two points.
Ok, that sounds good.
I'm thinking my character may have spent some time in the academy, but is dyslexic and so didn't meet the standards of success defined by the academy.
Maybe they encountered a wizard of the type proposed by Mr. Nevets.
Maybe they have spent some time teasing, making fun of, and laughing alongside the grumbly dwarf fighter/cleric types such as the one proposed by Albion.
It's even possible that my character could have done some scoundrelish stuff alongside a rogue type character, though not with particularly malicious intentions.
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At first level, with humble beginnings, I would say that my thiefling (heh) and his brother (?) would have just been able to rise out of the underworld of ruffians and have taken on a few theft-investigation jobs for trade houses. Nothing fancy. They'd prefer to remain independent contractors who can work for multiple trade houses--money is their allegiance. They remain loyal to the person who raised them and provide them (fearless sorceress adoptive mum?) with with a portion of their payment, always.
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I'd like to play an illusionist, someone gifted with creative problem solving by altering other's perception of reality. So, quite a deceitful fellow.
He could be visiting Endhome ostensibly in search of some regional cultural artifacts, but in reality was sent by a larger foreign cabal of illusionists who wish to spy on some organization. Or maybe this is his final test to become part of that larger cabal.
Mechanically, I'd like to strike the 1e/2e illusionist vibe but could also be party face with high deception.
Hey now we are really cookin! This is starting to feel like a real game of DnD!
This is the stuff I can really work with guys.
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I keep telling myself to stop looking into the recruitment thread, just in case there's a game I can't resist, having promised myself not to apply to any new games.
So I take a peek and who do I see....Grimmy!
Glad to see you're back in the saddle! Tentative interest as my current schedule may not accommodate a new game, but 5ed is just fine with me!
Hey Spaz,
yeah I would have PM'd you but I saw you mention that workload was heavy. BD also spread thin, he says he may jump in down the line at the right moment.
Guys I had an idea last night that I really liked. What if Trifty's bard and/or Nevet's wizard are researching a theory that the banished demon lords are striving to return to the material plane. They are convinced that a harbinger has been born with a demonic taint. By studying astrological charts or something they track the birthtime and place and go searching to find... Axolotl's thiefling!
Also if Albion is still in here I was wondering if the dwarf cleric could be pursuing an ash demon that attacked his clan. Or more to the point searching for a way to contain it.
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Guys I had an idea last night that I really liked. What if Trifty's bard and/or Nevet's wizard are researching a theory that the banished demon lords are striving to return to the material plane. They are convinced that a harbinger has been born with a demonic taint. By studying astrological charts or something they track the birthtime and place and go searching to find... Axolotl's thiefling!
I like this idea. My character would probably be skeptical initially but also deeply interested. I see them as being the type of person to want to personally search out, verify, and study firsthand the types of things that learned people are interested in. I also think my character would think that some person with horns committing petty crimes would be a hilarious and a fitting conclusion to such a prophecy.
Edit: and I don't know what Nevet's wizard would think. But if they were super worried about the prophecy and taking it seriously and such, that would be a strong contrast to my character's skeptical curiosity.
Also I realized that maybe you meant we found the theifling as a baby, in which case we wouldn't know how they would later grow up to be at the time.
Hilarious!
No, I was thinking like "according to the chart the fiend-child has already taken birth... 27 years ago! In this backwater town here on the map... well how far could he have made it from there?" or some-such..
And yeah a straight-man and a conspiracy nut would be great contrast.
How do you think they would view the thiefling? A threat to all existence? A key to save the world? An annoying baby-sitting task? Haha.
Tell me what you guys think. Could be a good bit.
What else?
edit
Maybe better to let these things happen organically, but I dunno we gotta start somewhere. I was looking for a different spin than another tavern or "you're all hired as caravan guards". Not that there's anything wrong with those.
I'll be around later let me know what you guys need for setting stuff. This book reads like a PHD dissertation, it's too much really.
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No, I was thinking like "according to the chart the fiend-child has already taken birth... 27 years ago! In this backwater town here on the map... well how far could he have made it from there?" or some-such..
Shouldn't we just smite the lad? To be sure...?
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Shouldn't we just smite the lad? To be sure...?
Great idea! Perhaps when we're done I can write a song about the extremely noble and dangerous deed.
How do you think they would view the thiefling? A threat to all existence? A key to save the world? An annoying baby-sitting task? Haha.
My character would probably view them as...a person. They've known, well, heard of, a lot of impressive scholars and powerful wizards who turned out to just be flat out wrong. It's better to investigate for yourself and come to your own conclusions rather than trust the prophecy of someone you may never even have met. And if the person has already been alive for 27 years and the world hasn't ended, then it's obvious that this person themselves isn't going to be a cause of great destruction.
But then on the other hand, my character would still be wary that there might be some hidden danger associated with this person. And their ultimate views of the thiefling would end up being based mostly on how that person seemed when they interacted.
Oh dear I wonder if Axolotl is in favor of any of this. We'll see.
I guess I should be telling you guys/gals whether to roll stats or do a point buy or something but I have a few more things to get in order.
Hilarious!
No, I was thinking like "according to the chart the fiend-child has already taken birth... 27 years ago! In this backwater town here on the map... well how far could he have made it from there?" or some-such..
And yeah a straight-man and a conspiracy nut would be great contrast.
How do you think they would view the thiefling? A threat to all existence? A key to save the world? An annoying baby-sitting task? Haha.
Tell me what you guys think. Could be a good bit.
What else?
LOVE this idea, all the way around! Definitely like the concept of the wizardly elf taking the prophecies seriously, mostly because it COULD be real, and bears investigation.
HeyGrimmy, so glad to see you back on the boards!
You think there would be any issue with a Druid in and around the backwoods town, if we get started that a way?
haha--whoa! This coincides rather well with me reading Hellboy comics to my kid at night. :D (We're waiting for the next batch of Lumberjanes' comic deliveries, so...old Hellboy comics).
I don't want anyone to feel like one character is a star over others; otherwise, some tiefling centric lore is fine by me. What about Black Dow, then? One of us is a red herring? Do I dare mention Harry Potter type prophecies (ah, too late)?
Cinematically speaking, what with Good Omens or Lil' Nicky or the like, the child of the great beast or whatever turning out to be fairly ordinary and totally disinterested in their destiny is a fun trope. And of course Hellboy.
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Gerald!! No issue with a druid whatsoever.
And Gerald, regarding PM, I believe there will be a few of us playing 5e for first time. We will treat it as a learning experience. I really enjoy that. It is quite easy though.
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As for Black Dow, what if the prophecy said there would be two brothers. Now as far as Axolotl's character knows he never had a brother. What brother?
Prophecy shmophecy. No one is really sure if astrology even works.
See where I'm going. Maybe BD shows up maybe not it's open ended. I don't want to paint him into a corner, let's see if he likes any of this or what.
Since you seem to have decided on 5e, I'll withdraw my interest. Good luck.
Yes! Sorry to lose you Vagrant Erudite. First responder in the thread!
Yeah it was a tough call. Albion pushed me over the edge to go with 5e.
Sorry. It's just the gaming market is inundated with 5e. Look on Reddits LFG subreddit. Scroll down its like 57 ads for 5e, maybe three for PF2, and once every nineteen pages you see anything else.
Personally, I have been playing D&D for a couple decades, and I'm tired of the same ten classes with no variant.
Not to disparage you. I really do mean best of luck. I just can't do the core ten anymore without archetypes and new classes to mix it up from what amounts to fighter/thief/mage/healer from the original with a new paint coat.
Looks like you have a nice game lined up, though. I hope it goes well.
Hey don't make me start going back and forth again! Man, I do really love pathfinder. So crunchy! nom nom nom
Have to decide sometime tho. Let's go creamy goodness for this one.
Who's still in here?
Also, guys these ideas I'm pitching should not feel force-fed. I'm not trying to take your agency, just trying to stir the cauldron and see what comes out.
I am still here! I just won't have my crunch up till probably this weekend for my gnome.
Still here, whether 5e or Pathfinder.
Ok. I'll make the recruitment thread before the weekend then.
Robot spider was lookin'good.
I’m here, ready to Druid like no one’s ever Druid-ed before.
Still interested in running a Dwarven Fighter!
Here!
Yeah it was a tough call. Albion pushed me over the edge to go with 5e.
Me? Why is that? :)
Thought you were all for it no?
Still here, interested in playing a (I decided) half-elf bard as described.
Thought you were all for it no?
That I am, even if I am a 5e noob. I think unrestricted PF is... Out of control.
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(Waves to some old/current sparring partners and those new)
Apologies gang - RL employment has somewhat sucked the wind from my sails of late, hence the delay in pitching in. Regardless I give kudos to my hype man Grimmy lol...
My experience of 5E is also pretty limited - played in a couple of games here on the boards (one of which was set in Middle Earth), but system seems pretty intuitive, and I'm looking forward to pitching in with my ideas/notions.
First off my pitch for a PC was indeed a Tiefling Rogue. Like Axolotl I'm a Hellboy reader from my halcyon days, so some notions of the prophetic destines would be cool to work in. Not tied to Rogue either - looking at the group's build they could likely do with some grunt, so a Barbarian or Fighter's another consideration for me also if necessary.
Love the idea of them being independent contractors and adopted also works. Have a notion that growing up their "mother" or adopted parentage would have ensured they are eloquent and educated (as much as being able to take care of themselves)? Carrying themselves properly in society would hopefully stave off some of the stigma of being tieflings.
Perhaps the brothers actually play on the prophecy in jest, especially if it enhances their reputation in the lower echelons of society?
@Axolotl - not sure what you're thinking for your Rogue, but in my minds eye had an inkling for a Swashbuckler Rogue - a duelist as much as a jewelist if you would. Am open to any thoughts tho' as I'm a huge fan of collaborative backgrounds/concepts.
The idea that our occult investigators will be closely watching the brothers closely is hilarious. Anything that could (and will) go wrong on the adventures might be scrutinised and attributed to their infernal influence :)
So--I haven't bought anything for 5E. I bought PF2 and immediately lost interest after trying to read through it. :P I take it Swashbuckler is a subclass?
I got the impression that the tieflings had no idea about a prophecy but I'll roll with what Grimmy whomps up.
It's funny that some folks are leaving due to 5E overload--I've avoided the game since it came out, but DNDBeyond makes it so easy to make a character! And you don't have to worry about @#$%@#$%@#$ 100000 choices for optimization!
Whoooo this is how we roooollllllll!!
DND $&@&$s!!
I take it a swashbuckler is someone who buckles swashes...
I got the impression that the tieflings had no idea about a prophecy but I'll roll with what Grimmy whomps up.
Collaborate!
It’s your world. I just collect rent from the monsters in it.
I am also curious about the sorcerous adopted mother thing.
My bard would probably inform the subject of the prophecy of its existence after a day or two of interacting with them.
See? Perfect. Nothing to worry about.
Hey Critz!!
I was talking about starting at third level so some of you could bring back your PC's like Priscilla, but these people voted to start at level one so I'm doing a prequel to what I had planned. Which is good, nice n easy.
So, Pris will be too powerful for this adventure, unless you want to bring her in for the sequel/main adventure. (Or unless this is her origin story before she traveled to the Valley of the Shrines and delved the cemetery outside Bard's Gate. Continuity gets weird though.)
The table is filling up pretty fast. I might have to split to two tables. But, I want to make sure I do something small and finish it before I grow too big.
I am picking people based on the interaction they bring to the brainstorming stage (session zero).
Right now, some of the submissions sparked an idea. There were a couple of tiefling street kids and a couple of bookish types at a university, so for me this clicked with the adventure I was planning.
So, if that's the central concept, that's already a lot of slots.
A bard, a wizard and two roguish tieflings.
Need to have some divine.
We have also heard from a dwarf priest, a druid, an artificer and an illusionist.
Can't squeeze this all in necessarily.
I like to run party of six usually.
Note: Blackdow is part of the convo but may be off screen for first adventure.
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Also, you asked about Midgard in PM.
I run Midgard at home now, and I'm thinking of doing one on the boards in september or november when Southlands drops.
For this summer though I'm doing the old school Lost Lands.
All WOTC hardcovers, no UA.
As one of the aforementioned "bookish types", my elven wizard would also appreciate having a meatshield...er, skilled warrior...along.
:)
I would think a druid and a cleric could hold the line but that's easy for me to say.
In 5e you really have to pick, casty druid or wildshape druid. If you go wildshape, at level three you eclipse even a barabarian at combat for a few levels until things even out.
Really. Very interesting. I think I like that.
I've only played in a couple of one-shots with 5e, so I'm really interested to see the interaction of classes.
Yes. The thing is, druid wildshape means you just kinda open the MM and those are your stats. I mean, you keep your mental stats but there's no fancy converting besides that.
And, the HP of the animal are all temporary hit points for you. So, a bear form at level three can make a barbarian a little insecure for a while.
For myself, I wouldn't mind starting at a level other than one. Indeed, I usually prefer to skip the first few levels. It might be a good idea though since, as many have pointed out, it's not a system we're super familiar with.
I will also say that I would really appreciate a chance to play with Albion. As I mentioned earlier, he's in a game I'm running and I've very much enjoyed having him as a player. His idea was for a cleric if I'm not mistaken, which would also compliment the party decently.