Character Creation and Details

Thread Idea
Everyone should post once on this thread, this first post of yours below the starting post will be your other "character sheet". That way you can edit in details on one post. Once everyone has made their initial editable post, you can then post again for discussion if you want. Remember edit is your friend.

In this post you can put your background details, descriptions and other things that may not go on the character sheet. You can put as much or as little of your background in as you want for other players to see. (Any secret stuff needs to go by the DM first.)

The idea is that no one has to scroll through long posts to get to the meat of what they are looking for. Any decisions made in discussion can be edited into your post on this thread, and any notes you might want to keep about your adventures here. I will say again, edit is your friend.

Repost from Game Details Page.

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- Players can be any race out of the PHB except for Tiefling and Dragonborn for this campaign. They don't exist in the timeline you are in right now.

- If you don't already have an approved character you can use the point buy system in PHB, or can roll 4d6 six times, dropping the lowest and reroll a single 1 if you get more than one. We will use the Character Creation thread for stat rolls.

- Players are already in the town of Stowald, where the adventure takes place. Use your background to decide why you are here. Did you just arrive or have you grown up here?
(More information about Stowald in other posts.)

- Players can decide whether they already know each other or not, and work that into the background.

- Once you have some ideas of what you want, run them by me, and I will give you world options for your choices, or we will make some up if I don't have one.

- Remember, a lot of this is world building, if you have a cool idea, let me have it.

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As an aside to all this, I would prefer no evil characters, but if you have the right idea, I might allow it.

Reserved
Important NPC Characters and Background Information

Character Creation Rolls

Final: 11; 12; 12; 5; 14; 11

Character Description: A young boy with a craze of reddish hair. Though his body is weak and small, he has a face wisdom and thoughtfulness. And a calculating grin.
Finally, got him written up: Earidan

Earidan only remembers his parents as a shadowy memory. The memory of a baby with not much more than a year of life. The dark robed hands that took them away, still wakes him up at night, sweating and crying out in pain. Not in sorrow for the loss of his parents, but pain of the fear the robed ones brought to him that night. What were these creatures? These people? These Monsters? Earidan can only dream and imagine. But the answer can only be dark.

The other children who slept upon the cold, wet pavement underneath the twinkling of stars and the smell of trash were not much better off. All of them, in fact, sleeping in the alleys and the sewage of the ground. The beauty of the city is much different from down here. Earidan was one of the children who never got along well with others. Too outspoken and looking for trouble. He would be on his own. And in order to survive he had to adapt, meld into his surroundings.

All that changed when he began using the powers he found. How did he find them? He doesn't even know. But in a day he was able to cure the wounds of others, ease the suffering of fellow children, and find himself leading bands on the streets. Though he never let the word get beyond the lips of the other kids (who would believe them, anyway?).

Earidan's powers could not save him, however. A young boy, that Earidan elected as his right hand. A skinny, useless boy who only survived on the streets, because of Earidan himself. Earidan called him Lytell and truly believed he was smarter then any of the other children. Lytell even fashioned Earidan a functional crossbow, made from junk lying around the city and taught Earidan about how to live on the streets. "We need each other, it is the only way we will survive. Together". One day, while Earidan was gone, Lytell was murdered cruelly by a rich nobleman. When he got the news, Earidan was in shock. His best and only friend was gone, the only thing left was a mangled corpse nailed to the wall of the alleyway that the authorities would peel away hour by hour. Not knowing who the killer was or who the victim was and, in reality, not caring. Was there any good left in this world? The poor lie, steal, and plunder, taking only for gain and barely working, lazy and resentful. The rich murdered and mocked, looking down from their pedestals and laughed at those below them.

Now, 4 years after the horrible event, Earidan has decided to leave the streets of his city and sneak away. Leaving everything familiar behind as he steals away on the carriage. Which lands him in a town called Stolwald. Perhaps here he can start a new life and become a child again...

Anry Tallfellow



Anry is a half-elf/half-human who was raised by halflings. No one knows where he came from, but he had a childhood filled with love and joy. His adoptive parents taught him to enjoy every moment in life, and to always look for the good in everything and everyone. His father was a locksmith and his mother taught music in their village, and at a young age Anry showed aptitude for both. And, despite being significantly bigger than his peers (even at only 5'5" 140lbs), he was well-liked in school and had many friends.

In late adolescence and early adulthood Anry began to travel to the towns and cities nearby to earn some coin as a performer, translating his dexterity, finesse, and musicianship into a living wage. He would always return home, though, for that is where he felt happiest.

As Anry became firmly established in adulthood, his parents began to notice a change. Anry had not become less happy, but there did seem to be something missing from his life. In his travels and during performances, Anry had come across many happy families, and his own was a shining example to him. Anry wanted to know that kind of love. He never mentioned anything about it to anyone, but his parents, especially his mother, could tell. She always knew him so well.

One night, Anry came home late from a trip to find his parents drinking tea around the table. They told him that they wanted him to pursue his dreams, not of becoming a world-renowned juggler or musician, but of finding romantic love and starting a family. They helped him pack his belongings. They hugged and cried, and told him he would always be welcome at home. His mother gave him her penny whistle, the one that hung over the mantle, that had been in the family for generations, so he would remember her on his travels. Anry's father told him that he hoped Anry would return someday to introduce them to the person who had captured his heart. The next morning, Anry set off on the greatest adventure of his life: finding a love of his own.

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Character Creation Rolls

Galas Wicoirien

Galas is the youngest scion of a very large and powerful High Elf clan. He disobeyed his father's wishes, and instead of studying politics and law at the elvish College, he became enamored of astronomy. As a punishment, Galas's father ordered him apprenticed to a Paladin of the Order of the Barristers of Amar; he would act as apprentice to a travelling Barrister Paladin of the holy order, bringing the Justice of Amar to the people and working for the Greater Good of the world. As Amar worship is practically banned in Elvish lands (the established church of Delora saw to this), this assignment was in effect exile from Galas's family and homeland.

Despite Galas's heart being set on more abstract and intellectual pursuits, and despite his great dislike for the Paladin he was apprenticed to (one Yolentas Aranboldren; an arrogant and pompous man), Galas found much in the philosophy of the Order that was good and true. The Order's mission to administer fair justice and always work toward the greater good, by any means necessary, spoke to some sleeping corner of Galas's heart. This deep and secret corner of Galas's heart always seemed to be weeping at the cruelty and injustice of the world (and of his life?). Galas found that he wanted to work for the Greater Good and he found the tenant of True and Fair Justice to be a worthy ideal.

However, he found that in practice, many of the Order used the idea of the Greater Good to justify their own self serving actions. He found that the "True and Fair Justice" of Amar was all to susceptible to distortion through the lens of gold and silver.

After several years of apprenticeship, during which Galas grew more and more jaded about the motives of the Order (and his master in particular), Galas and Yolentas found themselves in a small village, adjudicating a dispute over the dowry of a local farmer's daughter recently wed through an arranged marriage. The newly wed husband claimed that the daughter was not "pure", and that he discovered this on his wedding night. He was demanding half the dowry be returned to him, or he would seek to have the marriage annulled and turn the daughter out of his household.

As the father and husband bickered and argued, Galas found his gaze continually drawn to the newly wed daughter, a young girl, her face streaked with tears. Somehow, as if from outside himself, Galas became filled with certainty that the father was lying...that the husband was cruel and abusive...and that the young woman's heart was full of fear. He saw something building in her. Something bubbling to the surface. Suddenly, in the midst of the proceedings, the young woman burst out in hysteric sobs. She pointed at he father, screaming that he had defiled her as a little girl. She railed at her husband, saying he beat her savagely on their wedding night and that he was cruel and evil. Somehow...as if from outside himself...Galas knew she was telling the truth...

Yolentas's voice boomed out for silence. He began to give his judgement in favor of the father, saying that the young man had no proof of any kind that his wife was impure and that he should be made to pay an additional dowry as recompense for the trouble he had caused the father. As he spoke, it seemed to Galas that he heard a voice whispering in his ear, "Lying," it said. Then he saw in a flash a vision, in this vision he saw the father passing a heavy purse into the hands of Yolentas...

Galas stood and interrupted Yolentas's proclamations. He spoke of compassion and fairness, he did not say what the voice had told him, nor the certainty in his heart of the father's cruelty. He argued that the marriage should be annulled and the full value of the dowry should be given to the young woman so she could set up her own household as she saw fit, half to be paid by the father, half by the husband. Everyone began yelling at once, Yolentas berated Galas for speaking out of turn; the father bellowed that he would die before giving up his fair payment for his worthless daughter; the husband bellowed that he had been swindled and betrayed and he'd be damned before he let go of another bent copper piece over the harlot he'd married.

The girl began to shout too, calling her father and the husband monsters...her husband turned to her and smashed his fist into her mouth. Teeth and blood sprayed from her broken jaw.

Before he knew what he was doing, Galas had drawn his scimitar and leaped at the husband. He cut him down with two swift blows. He barely heard the shouting, screaming chaos around him, as he knelt to the girls side. He was dimly aware of Yolantas striding toward him shouting. Galas reached out a trembling hand, and placed it on the girl's ruined face. As tears ran down his cheeks, his hand began to glow with soft radiance. He was filled with a deep aura of peace and a fierce love of all that is good and right in the world. He felt the hand of Amar touch his soul as the girl's jaw healed and her wounds closed.

When he was aware of himself again, he was kneeling on the earth in the village square where the trial had take place. Yolentas stood over him, scowling. Yolentas demanded to know how Galas had done that...healing magic was a mythic gift of the gods from ancient times. There were no true healers in the world. Galas attempted to explain about the holy presence of Amar, how he had known about the lies being told at the trial. Yolentas interrupted him and denounced him as a liar and a heretic. Blades were drawn. Galas was wounded and Yolentas brought to within an inch of death. But Galas would not slay him. Yolentas denounced Galas as a heretic and a traitor, expelled him from the Order and placed a sentence of death on his head for attacking his teacher. Galas leaned down and whispered to Yolentas, "I know about the bribe. Do not pursue me, or I will slay you. For the Greater Good of the world." He left Yolentas there, wide eyed with fear and rage.

He now wanders the lands, doing scribe and sword work for coins and trying to avoid the attentions of the Order. He knows there are those in the Order who will want him dead, Yolentas not the least of them. He knows he cannot return home...his family will only see his actions as shameful and dishonorable; a stain on the family name. Currently he has made his way to the town of Stowald, hoping to find work with the Myr Mining company.

While his body craves food and shelter, Galas's mind cries out for knowledge and order. Even as his heart cries out for Justice and the Greater Good.

Character Creation Rolls
Str: 8 (7+1 DM charity)
Dex: 17 (15+2)
Con: 10
Int: 14 (13+1)
Wis: 11
Cha: 17

Spaceseeker19's Character

Let me know how much of this works for you.

Name: "Venger" Gale
Character details: A branch of Gale's clan allied themselves with the Myr Mining Company a few decades ago, and when he came of age, he left with various cousins and brothers to go to the surface and work for a while in various locations. While on their way to the Rockspires, the clan was ambushed by goblins. Pierced by arrows, Gale tried to fight on as the rest of his family was cut down around him. An earthquake interrupted the battle, and Gale was thrown from a cliff to the jagged rocks below. The goblins were content to murder the rest of the clan and left him broken at the base of the cliff to die. As he lay dying, Gale had a vision: the cliff face cracked and split with the quake, and a slight trail of lava oozed out, snaking its way slowly down to his broken body. The pain of the lava as it engulfed his hand was intense, but suddenly Gale heard the sound of the earth, a great rhythmic rumbling as of granite slabs used as bells, and even though he closed his eyes, he could see the burning visage of a vast glowing being. It identified itself as Fassenach of the Molten Forest, and offered him life...in exchange for service. Desperate with grief and rage, Gale agreed, and his bones knit anew, his tissues regrew, and he rose as Venger Gale.

His right hand is black and glossy like obsidian, and when he channels the magic energies, the hand pulses and glows from within as if lava flows in his veins rather than blood. Venger has made his way through the Rockspires and found only the corpses of his family. Dwarven honor prohibits him from living on when the rest of his family has died, so he cannot return home without first exacting a blood price from his family's killers. As he searched for the goblins to enact revenge, Venger was assaulted by memories of Kagaron Zevin, a mighty warlock who destroys mountains and dissolves nations of humanoids. He relived the memories as if he himself did the things that were remembered. He is baffled and terrified of this.

Venger does not know this, but Kagaron lived more than a thousand years ago, and was the last instrument of Fassenach of the Molten Forest's will. Fassenach of the Molten Forest's mind is so alien that it primarily communicates through saved memories of the people it has claimed to its service over the eons; these visions of Kagaron's life are meant to communicate to Venger what he can look forward to in Fassenach of the Molten Forest's service.

AFter finding nothing and nearly starving, eventually Venger wandered east into human city of Stowald. He remains there to find purpose and a brotherhood to replace his lost family, while he yearns for revenge on the goblins and waits with dread for further visions from Fassenach of the Molten Forest. Kagaron was an elf and a bard who entertained the elven court with graceful dance; Venger is astonished to learn that he now can dance, and has been supporting himself in Stowald as a dancer. An Vandarie elven courier, who had stopped at the inn where Venger was performing that night, was so entertained by a dwarf who could reproduce the ancient and intricate dances of the Fyndhorn Twelfth Dynasty that he gifted Venger with a previous gift: the cap of Sm'El'kevane (his trinket, which imparts sweet dreams to the wearer). The cap helps to subdue the intensity of lucid dreams Venger has at night of Kagaron's life, so that he no longer has to fight to distinguish Kagaron's reality from thousands of years ago from his own in the present. He also has a gift that a small child, Dally, has given him - a stuffed pegasus doll; Dally is fascinated by Venger's grace, despite his being a stocky dwarf.

Hill Dwarf Warlock
HP: 10
AC: 12
Pact is with ArchFey: Fassenach of the Molten Forest
Passive perception: 9
Initiative modifier: +1
Modest lifestyle level

Rolling attributes. Modified for race: STR 12, INT 12, WIS 9, DEX 14, CON 13, CHR 8
Rolling race randomly: Hill Dwarf. darkvision, Dwarven resilience (ADV on saves vs. poison, resistance to poison dmg), proficiency in battleaxe, handaxe, throwing hammer, warhammer, artisan’s tools of your choice (smith, brewer, mason). Use double proficiency bonus when doing INT (History) checks on origin of stonework, dwarven toughness (+1 to max HP every level), Language: common, dwarvish
Warlock: proficient in arcana and history
Spell attack mod: +1
Spell save DC: 9

Equipment: leather armor; quarterstaff (1d6+1/1d8+1); two daggers (1d4+1); a light crossbow + 20 bolts (1d8); a component pouch; a scholar’s pack, a token of an admirer, a costume, a nightcap that gives pleasant dreams (prized trinket), and pouch of 15 gp.
Cantrips (randomly selected 1- 9) 3, 9 Eldritch Blast, True Strike
First level spells: 7, 8 Hex, Illusory Script
Pact (randomly selected 1 - 3): ArchFey: Fey Presence: once between rests, you may beguile or frighten creatures in a 10’ cube for one turn. When choosing spells known, you may also select faerie fire and/or sleep.
Background 1d13: Entertainer (Dancer). proficient at acrobatics, performance, disguise kit, flute
Trait: Perfectionist
Ideal: Honesty (I swapped the random roll for Ideal and Bond, so as to avoid the Evil ideal of Greed)
Bond: Idolize and emulate an old hero
Flaw: A scandal prevents me from ever going home again.

You know i never did background rolls for horork. Do we need to do it for this character?


Here is my idea. I want to play an older fighter. Late 40s early 50s.... I kinda want him to be retired and maybe a bartender/bouncer.

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Oswald Barclay had been pretty much a loner most his early life. His gruff exterior made people not really talkative with him, unless they were trying to prove themselves stronger by fighting him. They were mostly proven wrong.

In his twenties Oswald joined the military and serve for his lord. All citizens were required serve at least a 4 year term. There he had met Benn Fiedlerson during one of Oswald’s test of strength fights. Benn had noticed after Oswald had beaten the opponent and turn his back that the man pulled out a knife and jumped at Oswald. Benn jumped in the way and got stabbed instead saving Oswald. After Oswald beat the attacker unconscious he picked up Benn and rushed him to the medic. Benn recovered and the 2 soon became quick friends. First true friends Oswald had. They drank together, they fought together, they ate together, they pretty much did everything together.

After their service was up Benn wanted to go back to Stowald. He had inherited an Inn from his father after he died. He invited Oswald to come join him. He agreed. When they got to the Fool’s Gold inn they were greeted by Mara. She was Benn’s childhood sweetheart. She was very happy to see Benn again and greeted Oswald with open arms. Benn and Mara married soon after he returned.

Mara was taking care of the inn while Benn was in the military however they were not making enough money to keep it going. Benn decided he would take up a guard position to make some extra coin. Oswald wanting to help his friend out also to the same job. Soon they were making enough money to keep the inn working. They would be guards for years. Never really having any trouble. Just an occasional person in the wrong place.

Oswald and Benn did like to drink. They would come home after guard duty and drink and laugh with customers. Sometimes all night even. Well this particular night they drank until the next afternoon. Both Oswald and Benn had passed out until Mara woke them up to do their guard duty. Still feeling drunk from the marathon of drinking they made their way to their posts. Since nothing much had happened normally they decided to take a quick nap. They proceeded to fall asleep until a loud explosion startled them awake.

When they looked over they had seen 3 men running away with (gold jewels metal?). they were heading to one of the cave entrances to escape. Oswald and Benn gave chase to the men. The Thieves ran into the dark cave entrance. Benn was running faster that Oswald and was ahead of him. Oswald started to feel the effect from last night’s drinking and had to stop to catch his breath. As he did he saw Benn running towards the cave. Just as he made it inside the entrance exploded. Oswald scream and what he had just saw. He had just lost his only friend.

After that Oswald was fired from the guard position for being intoxicated. Mara was never the same. The once smiling wife turning into a crying drunkard. Oswald took odd jobs , bouncing, or fighting to make money to provide for Mara. Mara would take the money but in she would always blame Oswald for Benn’s death. As years would pass the routine would be Oswald would work, get money, and take care of Mara despite her loathing her. She used most the money to drink in from of Oswald who now will never touch a drop of alcohol.

Hey don't take my lack of response today as anything against character ideas. I got killed at work today, and have a sick kid, so I am pretty much out of commission today. I will discuss characters hopefully (crosses fingers) tomorrow with you guys.

Ok, I like the concept. Dwarves are one race I haven't completely fleshed out yet. So the only things I might change on some of your character is like the where you ended up in this situation at. That being said, there is no reason there can't be a Clan of Dwarves on their own in the world outside of any organized Dwarven Kingdom. That's the part I need to think on, and the only part I might ask you to change just for continuity. I will work on my ideas some and get back to you or include you for help.

I like the Warlock setup you got. So keep in mind in my world right now in this timeline arcane magic is fine, its just lets say it's a "Dark Ages" for magic. Divine magic is another story. Divine magic is just pretty much absent from the world right now. People know of magic, and what magic is, heard the tells, etc. Only the Gearhold Gnomes still hold any real mastery of magic right now, and various other individuals. The problem with the masses is that right now magic in this world is an "unknown" and things people don't understand tend to scare them right? So your character may feel the need to wear a wrap or put a glove around the hand in general as to not attract attention. (Or you can totally attract attention.) You get where I am going. It may garner fear or respect, and you may not know from place to place. It also makes you unique, like our Divine players will be.

I also have not worked out any lesser demons, feys, or anything like that. So that works for me. I also considered my world part of the "Multiverse" of D&D worlds. So I would think that planar beings or others that can traverse the multiverse could technically effect my world as well. I just haven't delved that far into the setting yet.

In all I think it's great! I may ask for some slight story based changes, but we can keep the core you have here for sure.

Even if magic wasn't that scarce/uncommon, I think "Venger" is alarmed at the change, and possibly regretting having accepted the pact, so absolutely he will bandage his hand, if only so that he might occasionally forget what he is now, not to mention anyone else.

I like it. I got some ideas for Dwarves that will fit your setup, soon hopefully.

They way the party looks like it is shaping up, this would be a great character to have in the party. As far as backgrounds, I am not too picky on it, and you don't have to roll, you can just pick what is appropriate or make something similar. It helps me integrate the story to your character a little more.

We can also create custom bonds and things like that if anyone wants to.

I know the perfect place for you to work too.

Ok, will do. Human? (I would guess from the pic, but don't want to assume.)

I would guess right now, the earliest we will get started is next Friday. So don't feel rushed man.

All right! Got my character's background written up, tell me if there is anything you would have me change or "modifiy". I tried to put what I could down, but it is a tad more difficult coming up with a backstory with a character so young.

And after reading everything on this thread, these are some amazing background stories.

Anry Tallfellow



Anry is a half-elf/half-human who was raised by halflings. No one knows where he came from, but he had a childhood filled with love and joy. His adoptive parents taught him to enjoy every moment in life, and to always look for the good in everything and everyone. His father was a locksmith and his mother taught music in their village, and at a young age Anry showed aptitude for both. And, despite being significantly bigger than his peers (even at only 5'5" 140lbs), he was well-liked in school and had many friends.

In late adolescence and early adulthood Anry began to travel to the towns and cities nearby to earn some coin as a performer, translating his dexterity, finesse, and musicianship into a living wage. He would always return home, though, for that is where he felt happiest.

As Anry became firmly established in adulthood, his parents began to notice a change. Anry had not become less happy, but there did seem to be something missing from his life. In his travels and during performances, Anry had come across many happy families, and his own was a shining example to him. Anry wanted to know that kind of love. He never mentioned anything about it to anyone, but his parents, especially his mother, could tell. She always knew him so well.

One night, Anry came home late from a trip to find his parents drinking tea around the table. They told him that they wanted him to pursue his dreams, not of becoming a world-renowned juggler or musician, but of finding romantic love and starting a family. They helped him pack his belongings. They hugged and cried, and told him he would always be welcome at home. His mother gave him her penny whistle, the one that hung over the mantle, that had been in the family for generations, so he would remember her on his travels. Anry's father told him that he hoped Anry would return someday to introduce them to the person who had captured his heart. The next morning, Anry set off on the greatest adventure of his life: finding a love of his own.

Yeah human will do. I am thinking he retired either because he was not officer material or he just did his time and was able to leave. I am not thinking he is a complex character just has experienced through life and everyone around him that want to fight are just idiot kids and know nothing.

Maybe like Sgt Micklin from Black Sheep Squadron.

Let me PM you and you can make some final decisions on it.

Approved Anry, I like it Whip! Nice.