D&D 5E [OOC] A Light Hearted Princes of Elemental Evil Hack and Slash

[CanadienneBacon]

I'll hop on this this evening.

 

[Creamsteak]

[MENTION=552]Creamsteak[/MENTION], can you make contact between Dent and the Black Company a thing in the IC?

I think I need to know more? I've never read those books?

 

[Forged Fury]

I think CB was talking about one of the nicknames for the Zhentarim, rather than the Black Company books (which I understand are pretty good).

On a side note, the Dent-Thaliss alliance looks like something y'all will enjoy, so I spoke to Creamsteak and I think I'll be taking over Tolan. I have a difference of opinion with Steve on the degree and immediacy of conflict that would likely result between Damien and the alliance, so I think it would be better to sunset him and play someone without much of an agenda besides introspection. I really liked hafrogman's concept for Tolan and hope that I can RP it credibly. I still hate those exhaustion rules, but I'll learn to live with them, LOL.

 

[Forged Fury]

Here's my gentle rebuild of Tolan. The only thing I really did was switch a few attributes around and gave him the feat he never got. I took Durable, as it is one of the only feats that grants a +1 to CON.

[sblock=Tolan]

[B]Name:[/B]       Tolan
[B]Class:[/B]      Barbarian (Berserker) 5
[B]Race:[/B]       Elf (Wood)
[B]Background:[/B] Hermit
[B]Size:[/B]       Medium (5'5", 128 lb)
[B]Gender:[/B]     Male
[B]Alignment:[/B]  Neutral     

[B]Str:[/B] 20 (+5) Save: +8     [B]HP:[/B] 60 (5d12)
[B]Dex:[/B] 18 (+4) Save:  *     [B]AC:[/B]   18 / 20 with shield
[B]Con:[/B] 18 (+4) Save: +7
[B]Int:[/B] 14 (+2)              [B]Speed:[/B]   45
[B]Wis:[/B] 16 (+3)              [B]Init:[/B]    +4
[B]Cha:[/B] 13 (+1)              [B]Passive Perception:[/B]    16


[B]Skills:[/B]                    [B]Abilities:[/B]
Acrobatics         +4      Darkvision 60'
Animal Handling    +3      Fey Ancestry - ADV vs. Charm, Immune to magic sleep
Arcana             +2      Trance (4hr/night)
*Athletics         +8      Mask of the Wild - May attempt to hide in nature
Deception          +1
History            +2      Rage [3/long rest] (Rage Damage: +2)
Insight            +3      Unarmored Defense
Intimidation       +1      Reckless Attack
Investigation      +2      Danger Sense
*Medicine          +6      Primal Path: Berserker (Frenzy)
Nature             +2      Extra Attack
*Perception        +6      Fast Movement
Performance        +1
Persuasion         +1      Discovery
*Religion          +5
Slight of Hand     +4
Stealth            +4
*Survival          +6

[B]Proficiencies:[/B]
Armor: Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons: Simple, Martial
Tools: Herbalism Kit
Languages: Common, Elven, Sylvan

[B]Feats[/B]
Durable: +1 CON, Minimum HD recovery = (CON Mod) x 2

[B]Weapon                Attack  Damage     Type  Range[/B]
Longsword, 1h          +8     1d8+5        S
Longsword, 2h          +8    1d10+5        S
Dagger                 +8     1d4+5        P
Javelin                +8     1d6+5        P   (30/120)
Shortbow               +7     1d6+4        P   (80/320)


[B]Equipment:[/B]
Longsword
Shield
Dagger
Javelin (4)
Shortbow
Arrows (4)
Scroll Case
Winter Blanket
Common Clothes
Herbalism Kit
Explorer's Pack + 2 days rations + 1 waterskin


[B]Money:[/B] 2 gp / 8 sp

[B]Personality Trait:[/B] I often get lost in my own thoughts and contemplation, becoming oblivious to my surroundings.
[B]Ideal:[/B] Self-Knowledge. If you know yourself, there’s nothing left to know.
[B]Bond:[/B] I’m still seeking the enlightenment I pursued in my seclusion, and it still eludes me.
[B]Flaw:[/B] I am dogmatic in my thoughts and philosophy.

[/sblock]

[sblock=Background]Tolan grew up watching his mother work at her forge, and that is where he saw a sword for the first time. Starting from seemingly shapeless steel, it was molded into a tool of deadly elegance, and he was fascinated. He kept watching his mother at her work, and when he grew older he would assist her with minor tasks. He understood the first part of the sword's journey, but he was eager to take the next step. He tried his hand at various paths, seeking that which would further his understanding of the sword, but each ultimately felt wrong. His masters all viewed the sword as a means to an end, be it power or protection. But to Tolan the sword was the goal itself.

Seeking his own path to knowledge, Tolan left his home and journeyed deeper into the forest; he crossed plains and sailed oceans. Finally, on top of the mountain, he found his teacher. The man was interminably old, and quite possibly mad. He was too wracked with age to hold a sword in his hand, if indeed he ever had. But he taught Tolan how to block out the world around him, how to focus his mind into a single bright spark. Free of distraction and care, Tolan honed his skills against the wind and stones at the top of the world. He practiced his craft until he could go no further, and the old man bade him go back into the world.

"If the sword is your only answer, then the world becomes your foe. To truly master your path, you must understand your own weaknesses. Go and learn when NOT to draw your blade."

And so Tolan climbed down the mountain and returned to the world, but he has found his path more difficult than he anticipated. The demands that the world places on him have lead him to the life of an adventurer, and all-too-often a blade for hire. The sword remains his way of life, but every time he draws it, he tries to find the other way first. Recently, the rumors of the Feathergale Society have drawn his interest. Rescuing those who may not wish to be rescued sounds like a challenge uniquely unsuited to the sword. And so he contemplates the future, even as his feet carry him to the Dessarin Valley[/sblock]

 

[CanadienneBacon]

I have a difference of opinion with Steve on the degree and immediacy of conflict that would likely result between Damien and the alliance, so I think it would be better to sunset him.

I'd rather you continued on with Damien. Why don't we just 86 the idea of a relationship between Thaliss and Dent, and have Dent affiliate with the Black Company instead? Or are you saying also that Dent affiliating with the Black Company would similarly cause you to ditch Damien?

 

[Forged Fury]

I'm actually kind of sold on going with Tolan now. I think we need another meat body considering the party composition. We went from 3 to 1 in a short period of time.

I feel Damien has run his course for development. With the joke having worn thin for me given the ubiquity of unsavory characters in the game, he's now just an average melee combatant.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

It occurs to me that the honorable thing to do is for me to bow out. I created a character I long wanted to play, but doing so required Creamsteak to take on a party of six rather than the four he originally planned. Also, Dent, being grim and gritty, does not fit the "lighthearted" trope designated for this game. Now that, on top of that, I see his continuing in the game creates ripples that negatively affect others, I'm uninclined to continue. Poor Shayuri already changed up his character to "better fit" this bunch. Forged Fury's about to do the same, which I regard as both a mistake and a pity since Damien is a great character. Finally, we're at an extraordinarily convenient juncture for me to bow out; Dent's just been sacked by the KC, we're in town, and we're not in combat.

Eyes wide open. The odd man out here iddn't ya'll, it's me. Remove Dent and I think the balance is restored. It's been a lovely game. I'd certainly be willing to game with any of you again in the future. Thanks, [MENTION=552]Creamsteak[/MENTION], for having me.

Best,
Wendy

 

[Forged Fury]

I'm not Creamsteak, but unless you're dedicated to bowing out, I don't think it's necessary. I think what Dent and Thaliss would be doing would be interesting and entertaining, particularly since it would be two PCs playing off each other, rather than one PC basically acting multiple roles as is the case with Damien. Maighan's already been introduced, so I think that's water under the bridge at this point. Truly, I'm more than happy to take on Tolan. I think there's a lot of potential there.

ETA: Plus, if Dent left, that drops the front-line tally down to one again, partially defeating the purpose.

 

[Shayuri]

Gleep! Yeah, you know I didn't switch from Aridha because I wanted to fit in better. Not exactly. My main problem with Aridha was that she wasn't working for the story of the adventure. She wasn't connected to this conflict. Each time out, I was having more and more trouble explaining to myself why she was involved in this.

That has nothing to do with the rest of the characters.

I was rather looking forward to Maighan and Dent's future dealings, personally.

If you really want to quit, then you should...but please don't do it on my account. When I made Maighan 'good,' I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew there'd be friction. I wanted that...I think it has good potential for interest and story. Much more than Aridha's blah-whatever attitude.

 

[Steve Gorak]

This is sad and unfortunate. I hate to see you go [MENTION=11146]CanadienneBacon[/MENTION]. Any chance you will reconsider? I think Dent fits nicely with the group, and I fear that loosing a player that contributes so much to the game will be costlier than we can imagine.
Cheers,

SG