Eberron: Mark of the Raven (Closed)

Apologies for the long introduction. Spoiler tags included to minimize space consumption.

Introduction
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Breland-Cyre Border, 994 YK

There is a first time for everything. Yet, the commander of the Iron Ravens had never thought he would face an ambush unprepared, especially so far into his career. A career that had, until this point, been marked by almost unblemished perfection.

"Down!"

Jagged shards of rock rained down upon Dhakken Ranos' prone form as a fist sized ball of orange flame exploded against the fallen boulder that had previously sheltered him. It was a sixth sense born of two and a half decades of a battlefield that saved the mercenary captain, spurring him to leap panther-like from behind his stony shield moments before the spell's impact. Growling a curse and forgoing the recovery of the helmet which had fallen from his head as a result of his desperate dive to safety, the veteran commander snatched up a spear from the side of a fallen comrade and sent it sailing toward his aggressor with all the iron hard strength of sinew he possessed. Driven by Ranos' rage and desperation, the spear flew swift and true, slamming into and through its target even as the spellcaster brought the burnished golden wand in his right hand around for another blast.

There is a first time for everything.

I was due for this, Ranos chuckled grimly, half surprised by the sudden rush of black humor in the midst of such slaughter. I am no god. I am not all seeing. Sooner or later, something, somewhere, was bound to slip through the cracks.

But how? How had a hostile unit of Blademarks crossed into Breland and cut his men off? How had they even discovered the Iron Ravens when the unit was travelling in the dead of night far from the main roads and battlegrounds. And why were supplemented with two whole squads worth of Karrnathi undead?

Scrambling to his feet, the former Knight of the Rekkenmark ripped his worn black-bladed longsword from its scabbard and pointed forward. This was the third confrontation with the Blademarks in as many days, and by the looks of it, it would have to be their last. Their backs against the canyon walls, the Iron Ravens would have no choice but to force their way through the body of the enemy troops. The Cyran border was less than half a day's march. Once crossed, the Ravens would be safe alongside the rest of their company.

"Push forward and put them to rout! If we break their lines, we'll be in Cyre before the day is done!" Ranos shouted.

A hellishly brilliant flash of white light against the noonday sky was quick to draw the attention of both Ranos' mercenaries and their advesaries away from the battle at hand. At the edge of the horizon, a dead grey mist slowly spun itself into existence, rising from the ground like a phantom from a grave. In the distance, Cyre was dying.[/Sblock]

A Brief History of the Iron Ravens
[Sblock] Formed in 986 by the infamous Karrnathi war hero turned expatriate, Dhakken Ranos, the Iron Ravens were one of the innumerable mercenary companies to distinguish themselves during the hundred year history of the Last War. Initially, Ranos' reputation attracted a large number of would-be followers to his banner, but the former Karrnathi general chose instead to restrict the units size in favor of emphasizing quality over quantity. As a result, at the height of its success the Iron Ravens contained perhaps 500 members, divided into two units of 250 each, one group under the command of Dhakken Ranos himself, the other under his longtime subordinate and friend, Gared Caldarrn. Rarely did either commander deploy their units in full, however, preferring instead to utilize smaller squads to strike at strategically important targets. A large number of the Ravens were handpicked by Ranos himself, though both Caldarrn and Ranos' lieutenant also played major roles in the selection process. The Ravens possessed members of all nations and races, even counting a handful of goblinoids and (if rumors are to be believed) one Warforged amongst their ranks. The unit frequently made use of guerilla tactics, and relied on skirmishing and superior mobility to whittle down and defeat forces oftentimes larger than their own (Particularly notable is a small division of cavalry mounted atop magebred horses, presumably acquired through the machinations of Setian D'Vadalis, a dragonmarked scion of that house who linked up with the unit under questionable circumstances). For the most part, however, the Iron Ravens avoided open conflict, instead preferring surgical strike missions which could be accomplished with the least amount of casualties for both parties involved. The unit maintained a relatively low mortality rate throughout its service as a result of this preference, as well as the superior tactics of its commanding officers.

The first half of the company's eight year history was spent in the employ of Aundair, though lack of cooperation on the part of the regular Aundairian military (which culminated in a heated argument between Captain Ranos and Lord Darro Ir'Lain) led to the company's dismissal. The Iron Ravens were subsequently hired by Breland, and served there until the expiration of their contract and the promise of a better offer from Cyre. Sadly, an unexpected ambush by Deneith Blademarks while in en route to their newfound employer and the deaths of the entirety of Caldarrn's brigade during the Day of Mourning (his unit had traveled on ahead of Ranos' main force as a gesture of good faith and in preparation of immediate deployment) resulted in heavy losses for the unit, reducing the fighting strength of the Ravens to little more than 100 men. Those who survived the ambush regrouped alongside Ranos and spent several months on the lam, before the captain formally disbanded the unit in 994. The Iron Ravens have since dispersed to all corners of Khorvaire, with some finding service in other mercenary companies or in the militaries of post Thronehold Khorvaire and others taking up the adventuring lifestyle or even retiring completely. Small numbers of the Ravens have lived and cooperated together since the Last War, but for the most part, the unit now exists only as a collection of shared memories and experiences amongst a dwindling number of survivors.[/Sblock]


The game will begin in the year 998 YK, with the PCs having each received letters via House Orien courier from their long lost commander, Dhakken Ranos, asking their aid in completing one final mission left unfinished by the Ravens during the Last War, and hoping that they will honor their old loyalty to the unit. Included with the letter is a pouch containing 50 gp, and the suggestion that the recipient consider this either a severance pay or an up front salary, depending on their choice.


2nd level characters, 32 point buy, 900 gp for equipment. The PCs in the campaign will be either a) former members of the Iron Ravens b) Friends, relatives, next of kin or acquaintances of a deceased or MIA member of the Ravens c) Anyone who could have for whatever reason intercepted one of Ranos' letters. Feel free to coordinate shared backgrounds/connections; you all are at least somewhat familiar with each other from your time in the Ravens.

The following supplements are available for usage:

Player's Handbook II
Expanded Psionics Handbook
The Complete Series (Warrior, Adventurer, Arcane, Divine and Psionic)
The Races Series (Stone, Wild, Destiny, and Races of Eberron)
Heroes of Battle
Eberron (ECS, Sharn: City of Towers, Explorer's Handbook, Magic of Eberron, Player's Guide to Eberron)

Ideas from outside these sources will be looked at case-by-case. I'm relatively open and accepting, and so long as you can provide a decent justification for something, I'm most likely not opposed to it. I could do without any Illumians from Destiny, however. Goblinoids, as a separate example, are fine by me. I'm more than happy to help provide inroads for any of your concepts. The Iron Ravens were/are an eclectic bunch, and there's certainly room for Warforged, Kalashtar or any number of oddities amongst their friends or their allies.

The game will for the most part be PbP, of course, though I wouldn't be adverse to doing an occasional session via D&DChat if the playerbase was willing.

S'all for now folks. Looking forward to hearing anything and everything out there.

Edit:

Included link to Sylnae's 3E profiler (http://www.sylnae.net/3eprofiler/), if people want to submit character sheets that way. I also have a pretty amazingly thorough MSWord sheet a friend devised for a previous campaign, furnishable upon request.

Also, you can reach me via email at Swordwraith@gmail.com, AIM at the SN Song of Wyrd, or simply by posting in this thread, if you have any further questions about the game.

i'll put in a bid for a berzerker type, possibly human, maby warforged
a battle rager who was used in the "cleanup" squads. if he's human i'll probably look at dragon marks if thats allowed, if not he can eather be a warforged who join up with the iron ravens or a common zerker who did the same. atm just throwing out some ideas, let me know if any sound good/bad.

I have an idea for a character: A young barbarian from Argonnessen who spontaneously developed an aberrant dragonmark on his fourteenth birthday. The elders took him to see Fellithysaar, the ancient brass dragon who acted as the tribe's guardian totem, who deduced that the mark must be part of the mysterious draconic Prophecy. Specifically, the mark indicated that the boy must travel far away to a distant and strange land, where he would be forged in the heat of battle.

The boy ended up in Khorvaire, where he was found and recruited by the Iron Ravens. The Ravens, of course, were always in the market for more shock troops, barbarians being especially favored, and the boy's amazing resistance to fire made him all the more useful (fireball spells were becoming all too common on the modern battlefield). He quickly became an amusing spectacle to the troops, who found his mad willingness to set himself on fire to be very amusing.

Later, after his unit was disbanded, the boy returned to Argonnessen, where he was greeted as a hero. The tribal leader, a powerful old shaman, began to train the boy in the tribe's secret arts, preparing him to become the new tribal leader. He was given an offical naming ceremony to mark his entrance into manhood. From that day forth, he would be known as Ixen'vaerirlym, or "he who dances in the strangers' fire".

Life was good for the next year or so, until Ixen's dragonmark suddenly grew, covering his entire hand and forearm. Once again consulting Fellithysaar, Ixen learned that his quest in the strange lands had not yet come to an end--he was destined to return.

Ixen would be a human Barbarian/Dragon Shaman with the Aberrant Dragonmark and Dragon Totem feats (his aberrant dragonmark power would be produce flame; his totem would be brass). I'd also like to use the dragon barbarian variant from Unearthed Arcana (in brief, if you might not have that source: he would lose fast movement, uncanny dodge, trap sense, and improved uncanny dodge; he would gain Blind-Fight at 1st, +2 on paralysis and sleep saves at 2nd, and frightful presence at 5th).

If this concept looks okay to you, I'll come back later with a detailed character sheet.

I've got two ideas that I'd be more than happy to play.

* Rel Der Serdalis: human scout1/kinetist1 CG. Rel is an expert marksman, safe-cracker and has some, unusual mental powers that he tries to keep hidden. [will go for psionX from 2nd level onwards, ideally hes the trap fixer and arcanist all rolled into one]

Keldith Vair: male shifter monk1/shifter paragon1 LN. Nwo the thing is this uses a homebrew class that was made by SaveVsDM heres the link. If you'd allow that then I'd love to play Keldith.

Essentially Keldith is a powerhouse. He uses ther versatile strike feat, and a falchion for the big guys in combat. He's a true shifter with his beasthide and brash behaviour - he's also an excellent warrior and a capable scout.

Anyway holler back at me.

Chev ir'Lyrandar

Sounds very interesting and a lot of fun. Since I'm at the office right now, Ill just say I am interested and will update this post with my ideas and stats. Unless all you want right now is concept, background, personality, etc.

EDIT:

Here is the background for the character.

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The Greying Mist, one of the soarwood sailing vessel's owned and operated by House Lyrandar, took advantage of the war that has storming on the continent of Khorvaire. Too most dock guards and magistrates, the The Greying Mist appeared to me a normal cargo carrying ship. But with the shadier skills of both the Captain and First Mate of The Greying Mist, the vessel would smuggle things for anyone who would be willing to pay the price.

Born in 970 YK aboard The Greying Mist, just off the coast from Stormhome, Chev was raised on the water. Growing up on The Greying Mist, Chev has seen much of Khorvaire and love hearing and telling tales in the various ports. His father was the Captain of The Greying Mist and his mother was the First Mate. Both parents had manifest the Mark of Storms at a young age and with no doubt, everyone believed Chev would also. By the time Chev fifteen, he had already manifest his Dragonmark and was on his way to take over as Captain of The Greying Mist when his father could no longer man the helm.

But two years later, on Chev's seventeenth naming day in 987 YK, he got into an argument with both parents over their involvement, or lack there of, in the civil war that has plagued Khorvaire. With tensions high on The Greying Mist, Chev disembarked the next time they came to port in Stormhome and decided to take action and join Aundair's effort in the war. Chev had heard rumor's of the Iron ravens and their accomplishments in the name of Aundair. Using his skill of words, Chev was able to gain an audience with Caldarrn and then Ranos himself. With his silver tongue and effective work of words, Chev found himself enlisted with the Iron Ravens. The idea of being apart of a mercenary company and having ties to those willing to pay, reminded him much of what went on aboard The Greying Mist.

With his sailing skills, and other skills he learned aboard The Greying Mist, Chev found himself gathering information, forging documents, interpreting letters in foreign tongues, and using diplomacy to help the Iron Ravens gain advantages during battle.

After the company disbanded in 994 YK, Chev found himself sailing aboard one of the few airships owned by House Lyrandar. It felt good to be sailing again and it felt even better to sail the skies than the sea. The limits were endless! He would still reminisce about the days with the Iron Ravens and would tell passengers and crewman stories of tense battles and the heroic deeds of Dhakken Ranos and the Iron Ravens.

Then the day the courier handed him the letter and pouch of gold from Dhakken Ranos changed everything! Ranos wanted a few of the Ravens back for one last mission? Why contact Chev? What would be involved? Maybe this would be a chance for Chev to relive those days with the Ravens and earn enough gold to purchase his own airship, or maybe he could even earn enough reputation himself to inherit a House Lyrandar airship.
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And here is the link to Chev's character sheet on EProfiler. http://www.sylnae.net/3eprofiler/view.php?id=23656

Chev will be going toward the Windwright Captain PrC.

Whew, thanks for the prompt display of interest, guys!

Anyway, here goes:

Nonamazing - I like the character concept alot, and it manages to tie in with a few plot threads I had previously drummed up for part of the campaign. I'm also ok with the usage of the Dragon Barbarian from UA, I actually do have a copy of the book, but hadn't included it in the list of options for the campaign mainly out of forgetfulness. So, feel free to fire away (too much alliteration, wow) with a character.

Sidekick - I have a soft spot for psionics, and a character with that sort of Swiss Army Knife usefulness would definitely come in handy. Looking at the Shifter Paragon writeup, however, it seems very much in line with the power levels and general build structure of the other racial paragon classes, so I'd be more than happy to allow it if its Keldith you'd like to play. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.

Mista Collins - I'd be content with just background/personality for now if you want, but I've no objections to a completed sheet.

JonnyFive - Dragonmarks are ok by me. If you wouldn't mind posting a snippet of background?


Also, for those listening, I'd encourage at least one character (or multiple characters) a degree of ability with social skills like Diplomacy, etc. al. Caster types would also be nice, as the group seems to be leaning toward a heavy melee base with this opening round of concepts.

I'd be interested in throwing my hand in with Breyer Coldstone, gruff dwarven druid and all-around pessimist.

During his time with the Iron Ravens, he was actually rather pleasant, never letting the situation get to him, always talking about how "This ain't so bad" and trying to keep up morale. Since the Ravens broke up, something seems to have happened to him and caused him to change.

He's always talking about how "the Last War weren't nuthin' compared to the one thas' comin' next." and how "The big one is gonna try an' eat us all up-only those as have prepared are gonna make it, an' I plan on being with them." When asked how he knows these things he rarely gives reasons, he just looks knowingly at the offending questioner until one or both forget what the question was. If pressed, he'll remind the upstart "I've been trained in secrets and magics far older than anything you can fathom! Mine is the magic that put down invasions of demons and wars between dragons! But don' listen to me...and don' ask for my help when the big one comes!"

Mechanically, I'd like to take the Shapeshifting druid and spontanious rejuvenation options from PHBII.

I'd be interested as well, although I'm finding myself at an impasse. I could go three different routes; let me know which you think would be good. All of these, most likely, will be human, with one exception.

1) My quintessential favorite: the warlock. Probably high Int/Cha and take Able Learner. Alternatively, I could go Rogue 1/Warlock 1 and take advantage of the skill points from being a first-level rogue and build upon that for my Warlock levels, perhaps towards becoming a Chameleon.

2) My glaring exception comes as my second choice (which is, admittedly, neck-and-neck with the warlock concept): changeling beguiler. The potential of a beguiler cannot be ignored, especially not with being a changeling -- the synergy is absolutely perfect. Possibly building towards Chameleon as well, although playing on the Cabinet Trickster and Mindspy prestige classes are also very viable for this particular concept.

3) Duskblade -- straight duskblade, at that -- no multiclassing intended or needed for this concept. Good mix of melee and magic, although the magic is limited to mostly touch spells, but the potential is also there.

I'm really leaning towards the warlock (or rogue/warlock) and changeling beguiler concepts. I'll leave the final call to you on which you'd prefer, and I'd go from there -- either concept works for me.

Azaar -- One of the members of my old IRC campaign actually contacted me earlier today and proposed a Changeling Beguiler concept for this game, so ideally you may wish to avoid this concept for the time being. The Warlock or the Duskblade would both be fine, and as it stands, the party appears to be lacking a degree of arcane support/firepower, so either would stand a fair chance of coming in handy.

Cleaver (name might change, probably depending on weapon choice) was once a soldier in the army of Breland. He served without distinction, and during one battle with Aundair was severely crippled by a mounted knight. His fellow warforged squadmates came to his rescue and killed the knight, but the human officer decided that Cleaver would not be taken back, since it would be easier to buy a newer one. The other warforged obeyed, just as they had been taught.

Cleaver lay on that battlefield for what seemed like forever, until some mercenary, scavenging equipment, found him. Cleaver was barely functional, but the man carried the warforged back to the mercenary camp and with the help of an artificer (Any PC artificers?) they managed to fully rebuild him. Because of this he is forever indebted to the Iron Ravens, and though he earned his keep in battle, he will still do anything for them.

When they disbanded he was truly lost. With the Treaty of Thronehold signed he could do whatever he wanted, but the complexities of Khorvaire never truly interested him, and he only knew war. For some time he worked in a Cannith warehouse, serving as both a guard and a labourer. He quickly accumulated 'considerable' wealth since he did not waste money on food, drink or lodgings. When he received the letter, a request for aid, he was gone in a moment, failing to even notify his overseers.

EDIT:
Oh right, I was thinking about a Warforged Fighter2, defintely a front-line warrior of some sort.
EDIT2:
See my next post.