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"Long ago there was a dwarven stronghold on the fringes of human civilization - a center of diplomacy and trade between the two races in a time when unity was fragile. It was called Stonefast.
“Then war with the orcs began. An orcish army attacked the outpost. Although Stonefast did not fall, only a few dwarves survived. They sealed their stronghold with dwarven stonecraft, and then they returned to their kingdom – supposedly leaving behind all of their treasures.
“Since then, Stonefast’s location has remained a mystery… at least until recently. Rumors have been circulating that the foothills into the Thunder Peaks houses these ancient ruins, and the wise wizard Zanzer Tem may have found the stronghold.”
Norman Firebeard combs his red beard with his fingers then takes out a stack of red Miners’ Union Cards from his dusty overcoat and hands one to each of you. “Take these. They outclass your present yellow cards and will be recognized by higher authorities. Zanzer Tem has requested the help of the Miners’ Union to find and explore Stonefast. Zanzer is wise in such history and has been devout in his search for such ruins, and since the wizard now runs the town guard of Thunderstone, he has offered sturdy replacements for digging the mines while you folk are gone. Zanzer will be waiting for you at the guardhouse on the east side of town.”
The old dwarf takes a swig of ale from the skin hanging at his waist then brushes the bubbles from the hairs under his nose. “Heh, now that Zanzer Tem has come to mind, my friend Alios has an errand to be done for him while on your way to the wizard’s guardhouse. You can find him in the market district – in a small shack next to Alduir’s Smithy. It’s not out of the way, and I’m sure it won’t be too taxing of a job for a group of sturdy dwarves such as yourselves.”
Firebeard turns around and commences with other business on the workbench behind him. He turns his head half-way and gives a final say with a smirk, “and as usual, I want you to report back to me by the end of the week. I am quite interested in Stonefast myself now.”
Come noon, you show up at the town market of Thunderstone to meet the merchant Alios who wanted an errand done for him. When you reach his shop the merchant smiles at you. He hefts a four-foot-long lizard onto the counter. Around the beast’s neck is a leash, and over its head is a burlap sack. The merchant says, “Deliver this to Zanzer Tem and he’ll pay you fairly.”
He gives the lizard a shove and it flops onto the floor. As the merchant turns to other business, he issues a last warning. “No matter what, don’t take the sack off its head!”
There are two ways to reach Zanzer’s guardhouse: If you follow the dark corridors of Thieves’ Alley, continue with section 2.
If you go through the crowded streets of Merchants’ Parkway, continue with section 3.
2. The lizard trots along at your heels like a well-trained dog, but it stops to poke it burlap-covered snout into every pile of garbage you pass. At one such stop, a group of unwashed children approach. They begin petting the lizard, asking why you have covered its head.
If you chase the children off, continue with section 4.
If you explain that you were told to leave its head covered, continue with section 5.
3. The crowded streets of Merchants’ Parkway are no place for a 4-foot-long lizard with a bag over its head. The lizard keeps running into the people’s legs. People keep stepping on its tail. Finally, the lizard begins angrily clawing at the bag on its head.
If you carry the lizard the rest of the way to Zanzer Tem’s, continue with section 6.
If you try Thieves’ Alley instead, continue with section 2.
4. “This lizard is no pet!” you say. “Go on! Leave it alone!”
The children don’t listen. One even rips the sack off the lizard’s head. Immediately, the beast clamps its jaws around the boy’s arm, and the youngster turns to stone!
His companions scatter. In the confusion that follows, the lizard bits its leash apart and disappears down the alley. You search for it for over an hour. The things really go bad – six town guards walk around the corner and grab your arms.
“You’re under arrest for keeping a dangerous animal,” they say.
Continue with section 7.
5. “I don’t know why its head is covered,” you answer. “But the man who gave it to me warned me not to take the sack off.”
“Must be a basilisk,” says one of the children. “They’ll turn you to stone.”
The children let you continue on your way.
Continue with section 6.
6. You reach Zanzer Tem’s guardhouse without any more trouble. Before you can knock, a black-haired wizard with a sharp goatee opens the door. “At last!” he says, eyeing the lizard. “Bring it inside.”
He leads the way into a small hallway, then fetches a gold piece from his pocket. “Here’s your payment,” he says. “A bright, shiny gold piece. Look how it glitters! Concentrate on the gold piece. You’re beginning to get very sleepy…”
As Zanzer speaks, your eyelids begin to droop. Before you know it, you’re asleep.
Congratulations – you delivered the lizard, but it appears Zanzer has bigger plans for you!
7. The guards tie your hands. “It’s Zanzer’s dungeon for you!”
Well met, adventurers!
This is a Forgotten Realms campaign which will be using 4e rules with 4e Realms. This is a long and adventurous campaign that I have paced over for a very long time. It was originally set in 3e Faerun, but the new Spellplague incident of 4e actually ties in very well with the storyline.
I am looking for at least 6 1st-level PCs that are willing to play a long game. Please post your character concepts, but take note that I will be favoring interesting characters. Here is some information to take note of while creating your characters:
Race: Dwarf. Your characters are members of the dwarven Miners’ Union based outside of Thunderstone, located in Cormyr. Class: All classes are welcome. I am looking for a balanced party. Equipment: Your characters have been captured, so assume you have no equipment as of now. Language: I put more emphasis on language than most. There is no “common” language. Instead of common, you must choose one of the Faerun human languages. Your characters might not be able to speak to another character in this game if you don’t know that character’s language. I'll remind you that the human language of Cormyr is Chondathan. Race languages are still standard. Ability Scores: I will be rolling them. Once I find my players I will give you your roll results and you can post your character’s stats. Don’t worry, I’m not going to allow you to have TERRIBLE results.
In your submissions please include the following information:
Name, Class, Appearance, Background, and Personality.
Finally, if you have any questions, shoot away.
__________________ Milk is for babies! Men drink beer!
I'm interested, too. Question: Will you allow the swordmage? I figure there's enough on the Living FR preview to get started, and then the book comes out in a month or so. If that's an option, I'll put something together!
__________________ Gary Hoggatt - www.garyh.net "Such heroic nonsense..."
Chazu nice to see youve returned. There was a lot of interest in your fanning the flames game...
Was wondering how long it would take people to ask the "class question" - you should definitely address enther you'll be allowing the arfticer as well.
__________________
Interested in playing 4th edition online? The Living 4th EnWorld Campaign is open! [character creationwikiforum]
I am in an interesting period of my life; I will post in games that I run three times a week (M,W,F); and try to maintain obligations in existing games.
...disquieting...
There was no end to his patience and endurance. He played day and night, his obsession was somewhat disquieting. It was less as if he were playing to dispel gloom or beguile tedium than as if he were giving himself up to the fangs of gaming devils."
Kawabata Yasunari - The Master of Go
I'm interested, too. Question: Will you allow the swordmage? I figure there's enough on the Living FR preview to get started, and then the book comes out in a month or so. If that's an option, I'll put something together!
Is there enough information on the swordmage to create one at 1st-level? If so, then yes of course you can play one. Do you have any links to this information?
Quote:
Chazu nice to see youve returned. There was a lot of interest in your fanning the flames game...
Was wondering how long it would take people to ask the "class question" - you should definitely address enther you'll be allowing the arfticer as well.
Thanks. Really? It seemed to me that only a few people were interested in that game and weren't too excited about playing with 4e... hopefully that's changed! Anyhoo, do not worry - this is essentially the same game except with a different beginning! So what's this "artificer"?
__________________ Milk is for babies! Men drink beer!
Is there enough information on the swordmage to create one at 1st-level? If so, then yes of course you can play one. Do you have any links to this information?
So what's this "artificer"?
Here's the article linking to the swordmage preview:
It's in a zip file at the end of the article. They preview all the class features, four at-wills, and half the encounters, dailies, and utilities for levels 1 through 3. So yeah, enough to get started, and maybe then allow a swap or two for previewed powers for other powers when the full class comes out.
The artificer is an update of the 3.5 Eberron class. A level 1-30 playtest version, including one of the two builds, was featured in Dragon. The article is here:
If you're willing to allow the artificer, I'd like to try it out as part of the playtest. Otherwise I would be interested in a paladin of Moradin. Either way, I'm definitely interested.
Thorfin is a typical dwarf in many ways; he is solid and dependable and he hates orcs, and giants, and titans and… He wears heavy armour and he carries axes and hammers, and he is good at hitting things - like orcs and giants and titans…
He promised his father when the old dwarf was dying, that he would follow the family tradition and go work in the mines, and that he has done - but with a heavy heart. For, unusually for a dwarf, Thorfin loves the open air! He still works and spends much of his time underground but he has a most un-dwarflike love of the world above ground. He is never happier than when he can smell the dew-wet grass in the morning, see the sparkle of sunlight through multi-hued trees and hear the sound of the skylark as it sings overhead. Even short trips ‘up above’ seem to be enough to set him off , singing, laughing and apparently living and enjoying life to the full.
Even to his closest friends his eternal optimism can be a little grating. He’s the sort of dwarf who when told “half of us are dead and the enemies arrows blacken the sky” is likely to reply “well that’s a bigger share for the rest of us” or perhaps “That’ll keep the sun out of our eyes.”
There are two more signs of his somewhat un-dwarflike attitude. The first of these is that he has sworn allegiance to Avandra and his love of nature and wild country is typical of this, and he is certainly devoted to seeking his own destiny as well as new horizons and new experiences.
The final sign I am loath to mention, so strange it is for a dwarf. But I have come so far and will not stop at the last fence…he does not drink! He says that drinking and getting drunk was an experience he has already had and now needs no more.
Thorfin is very tall for a dwarf, and perhaps a little slimmer than most. He could be seen as unremarkable in his physique although those of a less charitable nature have been heard to debate the possibility that somewhere in the family’s past there may have been some kind of Fey involvement. Thorfin has heard the rumours but good-naturedly laughs them off.
His flaming red hair and beard are always kept neat and braided, sometimes even with flowers or small leafy twigs bound therein, and his piercing green eyes sometimes seem to have an otherwordly look about them.
looks like redclaw and I may be dueling for the artificer...
__________________
Interested in playing 4th edition online? The Living 4th EnWorld Campaign is open! [character creationwikiforum]
I am in an interesting period of my life; I will post in games that I run three times a week (M,W,F); and try to maintain obligations in existing games.
...disquieting...
There was no end to his patience and endurance. He played day and night, his obsession was somewhat disquieting. It was less as if he were playing to dispel gloom or beguile tedium than as if he were giving himself up to the fangs of gaming devils."
Kawabata Yasunari - The Master of Go
Appearance: Morrim is a fairly typical dwarf, as the last survivor of the Ironhand clan, he prides himself on maintaining a "normal" dwarven appearance, despite his atypical vocation. He keeps his dark brown hair long and unkempt, but has great pride in the beard he's grown over the years and spends hours braiding it and sports some decorations that he took from the clan patriarch. His skin is tanned from being outside of the mountains for so long and he stands a tall 4'9".
Background: Morrim was born in the Thunderpeaks, in the dwarven settlement of Thunderholme. He was raised a good, little dwarf, who battled the orcs and goblins of the area with his clan, mined the bits of ore that were located in the mountain, and practiced his smith-craft, becoming an accomplished weaponsmith, at least in their small settlement. Then the Year of Blue Fire happened and everything changed. Their small number of wizards in the clan were driven mad by Mystra's death and were convinced that the other dwarves were out to get them. They banded together and attacked the clan, but were destroyed by the dwarven warriors. The mages had dealt enough damage though and in the Year of the Halfling's Lament, a large force of goblinoids and orcs banded together and assaulted Thunderholme, intent on destroying the dwarves. After weeks of pitched battle, the attackers eventually broke through and slaughtered the dwarven clan. Morrim had been guarding the escape route out of the mountain during this battle and managed to survive by remaining out of the battle. He had told himself that it was a matter of practicality, that he needed to survive, but walking through the field of battle, Morrim was filled with regret. Seeing the battered and bloody corpses of his family and friends was too much for him. Morrim grabbed a few trinkets from their bodies and ran from their home, tears streaming down his face.
He didn't know how long he ran down the mountain paths, or how far, but when the ground gave out under him and he fell into a cave, Morrim was jerked back to consciousness. Looking around him, Morrim noted that it was a small chamber he was in, more a tomb than a cave and was about to climb back out, when his eyes caught the gleam of something in the dark. Morrim approached carefully, his warhammer held aloft, and sighed in relief when he saw it was just a skeleton. Looking at the skeleton in more detail, Morrim noted that the creature had horns, and a tail, but was the shape of a humanoid, he had never seen a creature like this. Clutched in its hands was a tome, fire scorched, but legible. Morrim's hands were trembling when he picked it up and dusted it off. Despite his reservations he opened it, and Morrim's life was changed. He spent the next three days sitting cross-legged next to the skeleton, caught up in the words of the book, not caring about food, nor water, nor the spiders and insects crawling upon him. Morrim awoke from the trance-like state peering up at the pig-face of an orc looking down from the hole he fell through.
The anger boiled inside him, begging for release and Morrim obliged. He crooked his hand like a claw as a great talon of darkness formed around the orc, raking it fiercely and pulling it over the edge. Despite its efforts, the orc fell, crashing lifeless to the ground. Standing over him Morrim felt vindicated and free from the books hold, began to climb out of his temporary home.
Morrim travelled to the nearest settlement, which was the human town of Thunderstone, and met a fellow dwarf named Norman Firebeard. Morrim needed coin and Norman offered work in the Miner's Union. Morrim accepted and worked uneventfully, until one day when Norman offered him a chance to head back to the Thunderpeaks with other dwarven adventurers to locate the dwarven settlement of Stonefast, which even he'd heard legends of as a child. They set out with the lizard and ended up at Zanzer's location, Morrim was excited at the reward, a whole gold piece, that was a fortnight's work in the mines. Then he felt sleepy...
Personality: Morrim is anything but the typical dwarven gruffness. He enjoys speaking to others, if only to take his mind off the tragedy of his clan's destruction, he despises ale & drinks of all varieties as well. Morrim enjoys the thrill of battle, though, and adventure, which constantly leads him to try more and more dangerous activities.
Thanks for the links garyh. Swordmage is all yours! And sure, I wouldn't mind one of you guys playtesting the artificer either. Graf & Redclaw, make sure you clean up when your done hacking at each other for the class.
Keep it up with the good concepts guys! Surely we're going to have a dwarf that loves drinking soon though......
__________________ Milk is for babies! Men drink beer!
Got room still for a Dwarf Cleric who LOVVVVES to drink?
FARIM, Dwarf Cleric
Farim is an almost-middle-aged dwarf who has spent the last few decades in dedicated, silent service to Moradin, chanting and praying about 16 hours/day, and drinking for 4 of the remaining 8 hours. His drinking habits have caused his superiors in the temple to decide that Farim is in desperate need of a change of scenery. Plus they're just tired of looking at his drunk ass, too!
Background:
Vondal was always interested in the past. From the past glorys of forgotten dwarf strongholds, to the fossils of unknown creatures found only in the deepest dwarven mines. His bright intellect and natural curiosity drew the interest of a local dwarven wizard, who recognized the potential of this curious dwarf.
Under Vestus tutelage, Vondal learned not only forgotten secrets of the past, but also the arcane powers, that will help him to further explore the world.
(One first success in merging his intersts with the arcane arts was the development of his signature spell 'Hungry Maws' [optical varaint of cloud of daggers].)
After finishing his apprenticeship, he was hired by a mining company to idnetify the different kind of stones and minerals they found in their endavours.
Hearing of the oppotunity to explore Stonefast, volunteered instantly for this mission.
Personality:
A curious brave adventurer, with few things in common with the typical bookish wizard. More the Indiana Jones type of a scientist and an explorer he also values the abilities of the men around him.
He shuns the typical wizard garb and favors sturdy leather clothes above robes (level one feat: Armor Proficiency: Leather).
__________________
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Hi I'm a comic and rpg nerd. Don't hurt me, please.
Looks good so far Leif, let's see a little more about your character.
What I was thinking of is a cleric who is pretty much geared for combat, at least as much as a cleric can be. He's got LOTS of frustrations from his cloistered life that crave violent expression on the pates of those who defy Moradin, or just irritate Farim. If you're looking for more specifics, then my fragile knowledge of 4e is kind of a problem. I don't want to say too much for fear of being wrong, but I am open to suggestions.
I guess I still need some background, more personality (?), and appearance. So here goes:
Background/Personality: Farim is the son of a Dwarven Fighter hero. His father made a promise before his birth that he would be given to Moradin, so while he was brought up in his early years thinking that he would be a warrior like daddy, when he reached his teen years he was handed over to the priesthood of Moradin. He found this quite frustrating, but he understands the vow that his father took, and accepts his fate. Still, he was a very active youth, and trained very hard, physically, on his own. He is very oriented towards combat, wrestling, axe-play, (I'm thinking "hammer-play" actually, maybe) etc., but he is still determined to be the best priest of Moradin that he can be to honor his father's wishes and promise. Obviously, he is quite conflicted internally about this, and Farim will gain as much skill as a combatant as he can, while remaining loyal to his "calling." Farim tends to be a quiet sort (as is fairly typical of Dwarves). He is used to not getting what he wants, so he prefers not to say what he wants, so that he will not be disappointed. (Or so he thinks.)
Appearance: Farim is a very lean and muscular Dwarf. His head is shaven, except for his long, thick, luxurious beard, that is, of course, his pride and joy. (He tucks his beard inside his tunic when he does his push-ups, to keep it off of the ground.) Farim has a hammer and anvil (at least I think that is Moradin's holy symbol?) tattooed on the back of his shaven head.
Last edited by Leif; 13th August 2008 at 08:32 PM..
Redclaw and I could play a artificer with two personalities...
Two personalities=twice the roleplaying for one character slot...
Or a half-ettin half-dwarf.
What?
Why are you looking at me like that?
Thromb Lickspit Artificer
Background
There were a few families that were poorer, or worse off than the Lickspits. And many more who worse off in non-material terms. His parents and siblings were not ambitious folk but they cared for each other in the fierce unspoken way. But Thromb fingered his threadbare clothing and looked around his family's mean dwelling and saw an affront.
His parents were supportive of him, supportive in a way that's given him an indomitable confidence than he doesn't fully appreciate. They scrimped and saved to arrange for his apprenticeship to an old artificer a gifted but cantankerous teacher who isolated himself and his student for years in a tiny series of caves at the edge of the compound.
Thromb loved the hours spent in the shop, working on complex projects, mastering the incantations and alchemical combinations necessary to enable the magic of artifice. He was master of all he survied in those caves, and there was no challenge he couldn't surmount.
The old man's death has thrust him back into a world where he is no one. And then those stupid kids pulled off the sack from the cockatrice and got him stuck in this mess.
That's fine though. Thromb Lickspit takes whatever the world throws at him, chews it up and spits it back out. He's gonna do big things, just as soon as he gets out of this ridiculous dungeon.
Appearance
Thromb is tall for a dwarf, skinny and powerfully resilient.
He has a wild eyed look to him, hours bent over strange concoctions have put him in the habit of seeing odd things in his dreams and he seems to be jumpy and assertive to others; though he often tries to hide it.
His hair and massive black bear shoot straight out from his head like stiff wire, fiercely resisting his efforts to tame it.
Personality, Goals and Mindset
Thromb thinks he wants to become rich, powerful. To show all the people who he thinks looked down on his family and their mean state how wrong they were about them.
His drive, more than any physical trait, is what gives him his tremendous resilience. He's tenacious, and can be uncompromising; it's what's gotten him this far.
He's not a fatalist. Everyone else he knows may be doomed to fulfill a lackluster life, but not Thromb Lickspit.
He tends to cloak his hostility to the world behind a mask of typical dwarven reserve. He always tries to speak last, and to appear indifferent, he often fails to control his passion
His everyone-vs-me mentality means he's stoutly, obsessively protective of people on "his side". He tends to assume the worst, to see threats and challenges that are not there, planning for the inevitable worst so that he can overcome it.
He loves his family, but in his adolescent passion he overlooks their positive traits and sees their stout devotion to clan and country as "low goals set by small minds".
__________________
Interested in playing 4th edition online? The Living 4th EnWorld Campaign is open! [character creationwikiforum]
I am in an interesting period of my life; I will post in games that I run three times a week (M,W,F); and try to maintain obligations in existing games.
...disquieting...
There was no end to his patience and endurance. He played day and night, his obsession was somewhat disquieting. It was less as if he were playing to dispel gloom or beguile tedium than as if he were giving himself up to the fangs of gaming devils."
Kawabata Yasunari - The Master of Go
![[OOC] Secret War](http://www.enworld.org/forum/iconimages/talking-talk/ooc-secret-war_ltr.gif)
So what's this "artificer"?
