Okay, so I have looked over the backgrounds for the starter set pre-gens, and some of the setting/history fluff from other GMs running this module, and I've put together a few concept ideas. As I usually do, I'm going to post some capsules here- if anyone (GM or other players) sees anything they like (or particularly DON'T like), let me know. I'll bat the concepts around some more and see if I can choose one. (Capsule ideas are based on the Neverwinter/FR setting, which seems to be the "base" for the scenario- if it is otherwise, I'll use similar cultural background but file off the FR names).
1. Yusuf ibn Shadar, called 'the Star-seeker': Half-elf Bard (Lore), will MC Warlock (Great Old Ones, tome), and plans to be mostly Warlock; Sage (astronomer), laced with Hermit. A classic 'crazed scholar' type, expelled from his university in Calimsham for prying in the Restricted sections of the library. His research into the star-charts has led him north- he is convinced that something of critical importance is going to happen soon, and his odd 'dreams' (From the patron about to break through into his mind) have led him here. Combined with the crazy wizard might be too much crazy in one party- or it might be just right...
2. Gwendyllin Arimina Brightstar ("Mina"): Half-elf Bard, will MC Warlock (Fey, chain) but stay mostly Bard (the flipside of the previous idea). Sage, laced with Noble. The daughter of a minor noble house in Cormyr, she was pushed into the life of an arcane scholar to preserve family traditions. She enjoyed walking the forests of the estate to get a break in her studies, and came upon an isolated cottage, where dwelt an "Old Elven Woman" who said she was Mina's Great-Grandmother- she passed along a great deal of interest, and only asked for little favors (like not mentioning the isolated cottage to the family, and some odd items from town... (In truth, obviously, she is a fey of some kind and Mina's future patron). When Mina's wrote a paper on the legends of the Forge of Spells as part of her "graduation" from school, her "great-grandmother" suggested she might find the place- Mina, hungry for adventure, agreed to the task, and her mentor provided a name of someone in Phandalin who might have useful information.
3. K'Letka the Ratcatcher: Halfling in mechanics terms, but actually a halfling/goblin half-breed, Bard (lore), will MC rogue as a crossbow sniper. Urchin, from the slums of Neverwinter. At odds with the Dead Rats of Neverwinter due to her heritage, she was offered a chance for acceptance if she would head to Phandalin to investigate the potential rival gang called the Redbrands (and monkeywrench them if they seem troublesome).
4. "Joy": Human; Fighter (Battllemaster) planning to MC Bard (Valor); Sailor (Pirate), laced with Entertainer (Gladiator); If he ever had another name, he never uses it, and he has been part of a pirate crew on the Sword Coast for years. He remembers his friends, though, and he heard that a particularly good friend had gotten into some trouble with a bunch calling themselves the Redbrands so he set out to help. Not sure if he would go with a glaive (and reach) or flail and shield.
I'm thinking Gundren hired Aenwyr as a guide to the area.
