Character Creation

I have decided to go with Tiefling, can hide under an hood if needed. Written a back story . . .

The Shrine of Eldath had been all he knew. His mother heavily pregnant had been sheltered there from a danger she never spoke of, and there he had been born under the watchful eyes of the Monks.
It was here he learnt of their ways. Taught to be a member of the order. Taught to work with leather. Taught about discipline and respect. Taught about family. Their way was peaceful and persuasive, yet their ways hardened his body and mind. All the while his Mother was there with pride in her eyes and love in her heart, touch, and words. It was a peaceful time.
He never saw the evil building in the shadows. Why would he, how could he, for he was just a boy. An innocent looking upon the world with rose tinted glasses. How could he have seen or understood the lust of men, as their hungry eyes watched his mother’s supple body. How could he know of the dark whispering that went on in their heads, as dark influences wormed their way deeper and deeper into their souls. He knew not of darkness, he had learnt of Life and Healing, and the language of the angelic. His innocence had disguised the looks of mistrust. The whispered tones of hatred. The destruction of gossip.
It had not taken long after the death of Abbot for the rot to show. Without her love the black foulness ate faster at their souls. In a moonless night the claws, blades and flames had come. They hide behind the shadows, they hide behind the flicker light. Distorted, melted and ravenous. Wood splints filled the room, as noises assaulted his ears. Their bodies fell upon his mother ripping at cloth and flesh a like. Her cries breaking through the roaring madness, "Run Darling, Don’t let him have you, Run!"
And he did. Claws snatched at him, and flames leaped at him. But he ran, all the time his mother’s screams pushing him on. His legs ached, his lungs burnt, and he was drenched in sweat. Yet he was not fast enough and the claws started pulling him down. His mother’s screams turning to a deep frightening laugh . . .

Taniwha wakes with a jerk and sweating profusely despite the chill. Four years it had been since that night and still the same nightmare, which he never escapes from. Four years since the gods left him alone in the world. Four years since the destruction of his home. Yet the dream found him again and the feeling of unease, it was time to move on again. Take what he can and run.

Looking good! Your character has been approved.

Is it safe to assume we're starting at level 1 then?

I have a lot of my character worked out. I hope to finalize her today. Starting gear is based on background and class I assume?

My guy is a Monk and a hobo, so not much gear to sort out lol

Sweet

Submitted my character.

Between my two pitched ideas of the Celestial Warlock and the Wizard, it turned out to be the Wizard.

The Celestial Warlock had gone through too much story to justify a Level 1 character and was too goody-goody.
The wizard has a bit of a darker tone to her.

Just approved MaJunior's character. Since we're finishing our characters, I'd like to discuss the adventure hook. This module assumes that the party is traveling together in the Forgotten Realms (or some other established D&D setting), but Avalyn's (Shorty's PC) backstory gave me a better idea. Perhaps you guys are all from different worlds, and for different reasons each of you get spirited away to Barovia. The adventure would start with you guys bumping into each other at the Death House, a group of perfect strangers forced to work together when it becomes clear that the house won't let you leave so easily. This could also be cool if we decide to segue into Vecna: Eve of Ruin. Since the PCs already have ties all over Multiverse, the cosmic stakes of that module would be more personal.

The other hooks see the party approached by a mysterious stranger in a tavern ("Plea for Help"), asked to remove a group of rowdy strangers from their camp outside Daggerford ("Mysterious Visitors"), or sent on a werewolf hunt by some factions of the Sword Coast ("Werewolves in the Mist"). In my opinion, the best of these three is "Mysterious Visitors," since it's more epic and establishes Strahd as a villain immediately, but "Plea for Help" is cool for being the hook of the original Ravenloft module. "Werewolves in the Mist" is a little weaker since it only deals with pretty minor characters, but it may be fun if you like (hunting) werewolves.

Starting as multiverse adventurers at the Death House sounds amazing, but all the other ideas sound like great starting points as well. I would put the Death House as #1, #2 Mysterious Visitors, and then the rest as #3. Plan to submit my character today.

I always kinda thought that Ravenloft takes people from everywhere. So I took a homeworld of my liking. I like meeting at death house as strangers. Otherwise I can adjust my backstory a bit.

I feel a multiverse start would suit Taniwha as well, and throwing strangers together also adds well to discovering our back stories. There is so much we can work through and crate interpersonal relationships.

I can see Taniwha breaking into the wrong house, or turning down the wrong alley and poof.

My list reflects directly with quilltid: Death House as #1, #2 Mysterious Visitors, and then the rest as #3.

Sorry, forgot to reply to this. Yes, since it seems we're all pretty much agreed on starting from the top and getting the full experience.
No problem with your backstory. I like the setting of a plot hook to be more collaborative than just me telling you where your PCs start the game and why. That way, the stakes are more personal because you set some of them yourself. I'm also being coy with the worldbuilding so you can go in as blind as your character if you want to, but yeah the Mists of Ravenloft have a way of spiriting away the unluckiest of mortals.

We'll see what MaJunior and CherokeeWind have to say, but the party meeting at the Death House seems like the way to go.

If that's what the others want to do, I'm perfectly fine with it.

Who am I to stand in the way of a good time? Let's meet as strangers at the Death House.

I hope to finish up my character and get it submitted today for approval. I feel like I had to revamp my character after a friend told me my original concept didn't fit into lore so that's the reason for the switcheroo.

Clomp, clomp, clomp. Obedience's hooves were steadily reverberating down the path mostly obscured by a rolling mist that had turned the vibrant greens of the forest to a murky grey. Usually Drina didn't appreciate the less aesthetically pleasing livestock that pulled her family's Vardo but then there were times like these. While many travelers had hardy mountain ponies with long manes that could be braided with ribbons, Drina had a cantankerous, snaggle tooth mule that would give that twitch in his right ear if he even thought a ribbon was getting too close. But what was lacking in charm and charm was important to gypsies or why else would they boldly cover every surface of their wagon homes, was in times that would spook a horse, Obedience was solid.

"Vai, a little more light up front, if you please." Drina's pleasing tones gave no indication to the alarm enclosing the woman as surely as the mist but her younger brother would take his cues from her. Eyes as green as hers paused to take in Drina's face as the dark haired boy swung the brass lantern away from back where he was trying to spy if something was following them.

"It doesn't feel right," was whispered by the youth.

Drina opened her mouth to quickly refute the claim but reconsidered. No. It would be a disservice to speak against those instincts that would keep one alive. Better than anyone, the two of them knew that not only were there monsters in the night but everything that died didn't stay dead. "You're right. Tis something unnatural for sure."

The direction I was headed if approved and how I arrived in the area.

I do realize I took liberties so if I need to lose the Vardo, mule or brother then I certainly can but I do my best work when I have items and people to rant about

That was nicely written. Looking forward to meeting your character.

Thanks! I kinda have the philosophy of why use two words when you can use twenty! 😉

Lol

@CherokeeWind, I've been reviewing the homebrew class your character is using, and it seems a bit overpowered. I'm basing this off the fact that its low-level features seem pretty strong compared to the core classes. Maybe you could pick another class to satisfy your character concept?

Just checking, it's this one on D&D Wiki, right?