stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft [Recruiting Closed]

[stonegod]

Initial recruitment has closed.

The dwarf was impeccably dressed, with a tasteful display of wealth and prosperity. A Kundarak scion, which made his delivery of a package all the more strange. That was the providence of House Orien. The dwarves were master of security, would not deign to be brought to the level of a hired courier. But, nevertheless, there he was, battered silver box in hand, a wax seal with a glowing sigil of a flaming crown warding the seam.

Patting the intricately engraved box lightly, the dwarf looks at you sternly, its manner business-like. "Our patron made it clear that this box be delivered securely and personally to your persons. Its sanctity is sacrosanct; thus, it can only be opened in our presence. In addition, we are to verify that its contents have not been observed, intercepted, or otherwise modified upon receipt. As you are the recipients indicated, let us finish this business."

With that, the dwarf hands the box over to you. It feels icy cold to the touch, and you feel an involuntarily shiver. Who sent it, and why?

That would have to wait for the opening.

Well, I'm finally doing it. After a year on these boards, I've gone crazy enough to run a game!

Who
A group of four to six adventurers. Party level will start at 6th.

What
An Eberron mystery and horror themed campaign based upon the recently released Expedition to Castle Ravenloft. Important: If you have played the original I6 (Castle Ravenloft) let me know as there are strong similarities between the two!

When
When the game starts, I plan on posting at minimum once ever other day, with one post per day a goal for me. This is to keep the game flowing and interest/momentum high. Players should endeavor to be able to follow a similar once-per or every-other day routine with the expectation that I will NPC inactive players (especially in combat).

Where
Here, of course! Here being ENWorld.

Why
Always loved Ravenloft and have been itching to give it a try. Do not have the resources to play it in RL.

How
Recruiting is now closed. This post will remain for archival purposes and in case recruiting is re-opened later.

To apply for a position, please provide a concept description of your character. This description is not a character sheet! Provide a background, primary role, quirks, and distinguishing abilities you foresee (and justification for them/how they play to your concept). In addition, provide a link to any games you have played in or run here on ENWorld, if any. All of these together will help paint a picture of your overall concept and how it would be executed. Keep in mind the Eberron-feel of your concepts, though players with no knowledge of Eberron can be brought up to speed as necessary.

To simplify the creation of concepts, the following will be allowed during final character creation: Core, the XPH, the Complete Series (including Psionics and Mage), the PHBII, the DMGII, all Eberron books, and Heroes of Horror. However, do not dwell too much on mechanics at this stage. Try not to go with too esoteric of a concept unless you can really justify it. Keep in mind that this game will not involve the Dreaming Dark, making Kalashtar a hard sell.

Players will be picked based upon the cohesion of the concepts to form a group (who will be presumed to have worked together before), and the "fun-to-play-with" factor of the ideas. The nature of the group (i.e., why they are together) can be determined as the game starts.

As stated, this is my first PBP game, though not the first I have DM'd. Be prepared for some initial road bumps.

Looking forward to it!

Selected Characters

• GwydapLlew: Unnamed, shifter Silver Flame Inquisitor
• DEFCON1: Jarrith Bronns, human Silver Flame infiltrator
• Doomhawk: Selase Kolandra, human Vol adherent
• drogthery: Daellin ir'Ayellan, elven Cyran undead hunter
• Isida Kep'Tukari: Marot "The Deadly" (Maraat Jaasakah), human Ghaash'kala warlock
• James Heard: Janis ir'Sandal, human Cyran ex-pat aristocrat

Other Submitted Concepts
This is a list of submitted concepts (with potential class/roles) so far.

• Bront: Changeling wizard?: ??
• Enforcer: Human Cyran warrior (fighter): Primary Melee, party leader?
• Rhun: ???
• kinem: gnome wizard?: ??
• Isida: Human warlock: Face and blaster
• Eva: Medani scion (warmage/cleric): Primary divine
• ByteRynn: Deneith scion (knight): Primary Melee, aggro
• GwydapLlew: shifter Silver Flame Inquisitor (paladin/rogue): Primary Melee, evil smiting
• Voadam: Horror scarred ranger
• DEFCON: Human Silver Flame infiltrator (rogue/cleric): Rogue skills, infiltration
• penance: Human spellsword (sorcerer/fighter or duskblade): Secondary melee/gish
• Drowned Hero: Half-orc Gatekeeper (druid): Divine support, ranged?
• Doomhawk: Human Vol adherent (cleric): Primary divine spellcater, healing
• Azaar: Warforged tinkerer (artificer): ??
• starkad: Dwarven ex-mercenary (fighter): Primary Melee
• drogthery: Elven Cyran undead hunter (ranger/Cyran Avenger): Ranged, tracker/scout
• Dichotomy: Changeling (?) ex-spy (rogue): Party face, social skills
• Mr Spicoli: Human (?) psion: ??
• Unkabear: Warforged artificer: Party buff, secondary melee
• Bloodcookie: Human Undead Inquisitive (rogue)
• James Heard: Arcane damage

 

[Bront]

You be evil Stonegod, I'd love to try one of your games... I'll see if I have time, but concepts are not a problem, particularly for Eberron.

 

[stonegod]

You be evil Stonegod, I'd love to try one of your games... I'll see if I have time, but concepts are not a problem, particularly for Eberron.

I haven't even started the game, and I'm being called evil. Sounds like RL...

 

[Enforcer]

Geran ir'Tarn

Physical Description: Geran is a tall (6'4"), powerfully-built human male, strong enough to wield the ir'Tarn family greatsword with casual ease. Now 31 years old, his handsome but scarred face is already accented with gray hair at the temples. He carries the beautifully detailed ir'Tarn sword on his back (or leaned against a nearby table or wall when he's seated). [More to come if accepted, as I'll be able to more accurately detail equipment.]

Background: Geran ir'Tarn was an officer and accomplished swordmaster in the Cyran army, raised in a proud if less wealthy noble house that had produced a long line of Cyran military officers, knights, and swordmasters. The ir'Tarn motto is "For Honor, for Family, for Cyre!" and is often used by ir'Tarns as a battle cry. His house is famed for its unique combat style that emphasizes a form of meditation while fighting and included many honor graduates of Rekkenmark before the Last War began.

Geran served on the Cyre-Karrnath front during the last five years of the Last War, where he distinguished himself several times for valor and leadership, most notably repelling an attack by Karrnathi soldiers from Fort Zombie during the Battle of Bones.

Having led a small Cyran contingent into Karrnath to harass Fort Zombie and prevent another incursion into Cyran territory, Geran and his troops were spared during the Day of Mourning, but were stranded in enemy territory with no safe haven to retreat to. Faced with the choice of attacking Fort Zombie without a line of support, retreating into his devastated homeland, or fleeing into territory held by the Valenar, Geran chose to follow the Cyre River South to the shattered city of Metrol, and then walk the Orien trade road through the Mournland to Vathirond in Breland. Only Geran and two of his soldiers survived the abominations of the Mournland, out of over 100.

He and his two remaining soldiers arrived in Vathirond, a town that had suffered much due to its location in Breland near both the Thrane and Cyre borders, Geran met up with what few Cyran survivors had escaped from the Day of Mourning and protected them as best he could. He eventually led them to New Cyre when King Boranel graciously offered the Cyrans refuge there. Along the way, he was forced to kill one of the two soldiers who survived the Mournland with him, after the young man lost what remained of his mind and went berserk.

Now Geran is making his way as an adventurer in ___________(wherever the game will start). He hopes that by doing right he can help preserve the memory of Cyre and the ir'Tarns a little longer. If that means dying in glorious combat, so much the better, but the way things are going Geran is more likely to drown in a wine bottle instead.

Primary Role: Geran, like the many of the ir'Tarn line before him, is an expert soldier and a master of the sword. He will be well-suited on the front line of any combat, but his experience leading Cyran troops in the last war also might make him a suitable party leader. His budding alcoholism and depression over having lost his family and nation make him somewhat reckless with his own life (but not those of others), however.

Quirks: Geran saw many horrors during the Last War, not the least of which was the massacre of his men by Karrnathi undead and terrible forces in the Mournland. Geran drinks more than he probably should, and has constant nightmares despite trying to use his meditative skills to ensure a peaceful night's sleep. Wine has proven more effective over Geran's dreams thus far.

While Geran doesn't automatically hate anyone who served Karrnath during the Last War, he is very suspicious towards Karrns and anyone who dealt with Karrnathi undead in particular. His personal version of how the Day of Mourning occurred involves Karrnathi necromancy at the heart of it. Undead of any sort are to be destroyed without question.

Geran is very focused on the task at hand, a reflection of his military and mental discipline. He doesn't tolerate those who give up easily in the face of adversity (despite the fact that he himself retreats from his own dreams by going to bed drunk most nights).

Distinguishing Abilities: The ir'Tarn line's meditative combat style is well-known and rightfully respected by Cyran nobles and military officers. It allows Geran to do things beyond the abilities of normal soldiers. Geran will be a calm, focused, and nigh-unstoppable engine of death with a greatsword.

Character Sheet Preview: Geran will be a human Fighter 6. He will be focused on the sword (Weapon Focus and Specialization in the greatsword) and the Combat Focus chain of feats from PHB II. I can provide a full character sheet upon request, otherwise I'll do one if and when I'm accepted as one of the six players.

Other Play-by-Post Games I'm in:
-A Game of Thrones d20: House Steadfast Update: This game has sadly ended after the tragic death of Widowmaker, our GM. See here for details and to express condolences.
-I've also applied for The Sharn Inquisitive but we haven't heard who's in or out yet.

Please also see the real-life Eberron game that I run, linked in my signature (we've only had one play session so far, but the game is going really well). Update: we've now had two play sessions, and a campaign blog entry is forthcoming.

Also, I'm more than willing to adapt my concept if there are pieces you don't like.

 

[Rhun]

I am interested, Stonegod...I always loved the original Ravenloft. With that being said, though, I know almost nothing about Eberron. How important is that?

 

[stonegod]

I am interested, Stonegod...I always loved the original Ravenloft. With that being said, though, I know almost nothing about Eberron. How important is that?

1) You'll need to forget anything you know about I6, however; Expedition is a retooling not a sequel. I'll change some things around, but I can't change everything. I need to make a note of that in the first post.

2) The core of the game will be far enough removed that a lot of setting knowledge is not needed. However, the themes of Eberron (Character are Heroes, Cliffhanger Action, Excitement and Danger, Unpredictable Alignment, and Things are Rarely as they Seem) will definitely inform the game. There are some rule changes from Core (alignment restrictions lifted on Clerics, addition of Action Points) and the baseline assumptions of race relations and magic distribution are vastly different. I'd pick up the ECS or the Player's Guide (or browse them) to a get a feeling for the setting. That being said, if you give me a general idea of the concept, we can work on Eberronizing it.

 

[Rhun]

1) You'll need to forget anything you know about I6, however; Expedition is a retooling not a sequel. I'll change some things around, but I can't change everything. I need to make a note of that in the first post.

Not a problem. One nice thing about I6, and from what I have heard about Expedition is the randomness of the placement of items and such.

2) The core of the game will be far enough removed that a lot of setting knowledge is not needed. However, the themes of Eberron (Character are Heroes, Cliffhanger Action, Excitement and Danger, Unpredictable Alignment, and Things are Rarely as they Seem) will definitely inform the game. There are some rule changes from Core (alignment restrictions lifted on Clerics, addition of Action Points) and the baseline assumptions of race relations and magic distribution are vastly different. I'd pick up the ECS or the Player's Guide (or browse them) to a get a feeling for the setting. That being said, if you give me a general idea of the concept, we can work on Eberronizing it.

I've read through the Wikipedia entry for Eberron, so I have some basic ideas. Let me think about concepts for a bit, adn I'll get back to you.

 

[kinem]

I'm interested. I will post a concept in a few days, but am considering a gnome wizard.

 

[Bront]

I haven't even started the game, and I'm being called evil. Sounds like RL...

I try

This may give me a chance to play my recaster Changeling... I keep trying him from 1st level, and it's rough, as he's boring at low levels. There's so many other things I wouldn't mind playing either though... I'll flip through books and come up with something interesting if I have the time.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

stonegod, I'm up for it! I have a couple of concepts in mind, one a bit on the odd side. One is a variant druid of the Greensinger sect, one I made too late for InVinoVeritas' Ravenloft game. The other would be a shifter barbarian that came from the border near the Demon Wastes, and knows about deceptive creatures and the harm they can do. I will flesh out both at a later date. I did want to inquire if you have or have access to Dragon #339?