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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Krauss von Espy" data-source="post: 2332822" data-attributes="member: 31847">Now comes the good stuff, where we get to see who's been paying attention to all that setting detail I've been dropping into post #3. That's right, backgrounds! I'm going to have to dictate a few elements of this shared background, but most of the detail will still be left to you, the players. Here's the starting point. All of your backgrounds need to tie your characters together to mesh with the following premise.... Idle chatter around the village speaks of a trio of richly dressed adventurers who frequent the taproom of the Feral Dog, Diamond Lake's most notorious tavern. The confident heroes of the Free City spoke of hard-won battles on their journey to Diamond Lake, and of their intention to explore the long-abandoned Stirgenest Cairn on the lake's distant southeastern shore. The PCs, being natives of Diamond Lake, know that the cairn is oft explored by the community's youth, who always find it completely empty of marvels and completely harmless. Not so another cairn within a day's ride of the village. This cairn lies near an iron mine that went dry about 50 years ago. The mine's charter lapsed when its manager died a few years later. Situated in a sort of no-man's land, the cairn was all but forgotten, its yawning entrance overgrown with weeds and choked with debris. Rediscovered by a curious teenager a decade ago, the cairn has since been a sort of community secret held by Diamond Lake's youth, who dare each other to disappear into its cyclopean entrance to prove their bravery. Occasionally, when the wind is just right, haunting, almost magical tones emerge from the depths of the forlorn tomb. Those who know of its location call it the Whispering Cairn. If adventurers from the Free City expect to discover hidden passages and riches within the Stirgenest Cairn, it stands to reason that the Whispering Cairn might also hold a genuine opportunity for profit. In the rough-and-tumble mining village of Diamond Lake, where desperate folk slave in dank tunnels to profit wealthy masters, an opportunity for profit is an opportunity to escape. So, we need to know the following... 1. Where and when did one of the PCs overhear the Free City adventurers bragging of their intentions to loot a cairn and thus gain inspiration to do the same? (The obvious answer is the Feral Dog, but it's not the only possibility). This PC is the instigator of the party's formation. 2. How did one of the PCs discover the existence of the Whispering Cairn? (Could be through a connection with an adventurous teenager in Diamond Lake who has seen the Cairn. Or, it could be through a contact in the office of the Chief Cartographer in the garrison, who has access to an old map). I think it would be best if this PC is not the same as the instigator (above) but the two should know one another, and thus be co-conspirators. 3. How do the remaining four PCs get brought on board? It's not necessary that everyone know everyone else from the start, but the instigator and Cairn-finder should know one or two others, who can then bring one or two others on board, etc. This could be in the interest of safety in numbers, the desire for a specific skillset (clerical, trapfinding...), or someone could even be an annoying tagalong. 4. What are the specific motivations for each character that would cause him/her to undertake this potentially dangerous quest? The easy answer is to find some cash and get the heck out of town, but anything more unique or compelling for your individual PC would be a plus. 5. The initial meeting of the group will take place in an abandoned mine overseer's office about an hour outside of town. This office is about 10 minutes west of the entrance to the Whispering Cairn, so one of the PCs (perhaps the Cairn-finder?) should have knowledge (or make discovery) of this office, and suggest it as the meeting place where the PCs assemble. The first IC post will take place here. This hideout also makes for a nice "home base" for the exploration of the cairn. Please incorporate as much detail as seems appropriate in crafting your character's story. It's not likely that your PC will personally know every bit of detail about Diamond Lake (from post #3), but as natives to the village, much will be generally known. Let's all work to try to make the characters really feel like they call Diamond Lake home. I've said enough, it's time for you guys to start pitching ideas. I'll be here to guide you. Thanks!</blockquote>

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