[Recruiting (CLOSED)]Heroes of the Middle Reaches[4E : Wandering Star]

[Drowned Hero]

I was kicking around some more concepts... since we have some time yet. Would anyone (4 or 5 of you ) be interested in making a shared concept. Like, not a pre-built adventuring party, but a pre-built group of some kind.

Ideas-

Childhood friends: We didn't all choose the same paths, but we started out together and through the years we've kept in touch. I'm thinking Stand By Me, but less sad. We'd need to choose races with similar lifespans.

Shipmates: We're all members of a crew that plies the waters of the Middle Reaches. We'd need to pick if we were a military force, merchants... probably not pirates, but maybe smugglers. It'd be easier to be mundane and choose whether to be part of Berstrom Trading or the Heirata.

Temple Custodians: Whether because we're devoted to the god the temple honors or because we just need the work, we're all affiliated with one church or another.

Regulars at a bar: Whatever our daily lives, at least a couple nights a week we head down to the pub to hoist a pint before heading home (or to work ). Over time we've gotten to know eachother. We'd need to all be residents (or frequently residents) of Helen's Reach, possibly a similar neighborhood, to do this one. We'd also need to pick our pub. I'm partial to Gullafar's Spirit House, because of the back room.

Good initiative. I would prefer to make it the sailor friends or the bar buddies, as my background would fit best to those. I can ofc change it if people want to use one of the other concepts you came up with or other suggestions come in.

 

[Redclaw]

I'm in, Sparky. I figure my elven rogue could easily have known Ranver, and anyone else growing up around Helen's Reach. I've decided to give up on the Dragon's Wood home, as I can't quite make it fit my concept. Instead, I picture an elven native of Helen's Reach who makes his living gambling with sailors, and potentially using their indulgence of alcohol to his monetary advantage. He'll be a bit of a scoundrel, and one who has no desire to actually work for his money, but one who is loyal and generous with his friends.

That could fit either the childhood friends or the bar motif.

 

[EvolutionKB]

Either of my concepts could be fitted to work into any of the scenarios I think. I'm in. Should we decide on a concept first or propose characters(with those with multiple ideas/submissions)?

 

[Blackrat]

My dragonborn paladin would fit well to the tavern background. He hasn't been in Helen's Reach for long but I kind of imagined he'd have made regular of either Badger's Hole or Gullafar's quite quickly after coming to town.

 

[Blackrat]

Here's an extended consept/background:

Zarathas "Blood-drop" Moonscale
Dragonborn Paladin of Bahamut

Third of triplet of a third of triplet. A passage from an ancient prophecy, telling of Surina Moonscale's legacy. Some believe it tells of the young Blood-drop, so called because of the single crimson scale on his forehead. And true enough, even from very young age, he walked with the blessings of the Platinum One. A direct descendant of the great Arkhosian general, Zarathas has been grown to the expectations of the clan elders. Though his father was his primary teacher in life, the elders felt that a child with such a destiny needs the direction of others too. And so Zarathas has been lucky to learn from the greatest warriors and historians of the Moonscale clan.

As Zarathas grew it became more and more apparent that Bahamut indeed favored him. A divine radiance shone from Zarathas. On his fifteenth birthday, as Zarathas became full aged, his father presented him with the blade passed down from the days of Arkhosia. And the next day he joined the Order of the Glory Blades, to start his path down on his destiny.

With a small squad Zarathas travelled to Helen's Reach to be under the command of the great Zargesh. In the short time he has been in Helen's Reach Zarathas has become a regular at a tavern owned by dwarf named Gullifar. He has befriended both Gullifar and some other patrons of his establishement.

 

[Hawkeye]

I can see Charles taking up with people from his favorite tavern. It's the crew from Cheers out on an adventure!

Hawkeye

 

[helium3]

Hey all. Popping in from an internet cafe in Kauii.

I don't know why this keeps failing to post:

Ability Scores : Methods one or two from the 4E PHB. No method three.
Races & Classes : Any combo from the 4E PHB.
Starting Equipment : The standard from the 4E PHB.
Alignment : No evil.

It'd be real cool if all character concepts included background for how the various characters know each other. Since the group isn't set, at this point just don't come up with anything too anti-social.

Regarding the maps, I use GIMP 2.0 and Adobe Illustrator CS2.

I should have internet access again in a few days.

 

[Redclaw]

[sblock=a day in the life of Varilar]"I might be Varilar; it depends on who's asking," the cloaked elf says, every syllable sounding suspicious. "What's that, Pieter sent you?" His face lightens and he waves a welcoming hand toward the empty seat across from him at the scarred and stained tavern table. "In that case, I'm sorry for the mistrust, but some of you sailors bring trouble for simple folk like me. Please, sit right down and tell me what it is I can do for you. ."

"A game of chance, eh," he responds, leaning in and looking conspiratorially over his shoulder. "Aye, I might know where to find such a thing. I might even be able to swing things in your favor a bit, if you're willing to trust me."

"No, I take no offense. I would want to understand my motivations if I were you, too. It just so happens that the game I have in mind is run by a Tiefling," he turns and spits in disgust. "I have no problem with most of their kind, but this one is a pure devil. Anyway, this Gamble runs a Three-Dragon game, and I would love to see him lose for once. So if you'll work with me, we'll set him up and take the pot. How does that sound?"

"Good, lad, good. You just do as I say and follow my lead. You'll sail out of here a wealthy man."

...

"Oh, lad. It's you. I was afraid you wouldn't be up for talking to me again after last night." The elf looks despondent, even as he casts a wary eye around the bar. "I don't know how Gamble got wind of what we were doing, but he sure turned the tables on us, didn't he. I'm right sorry you lost everything, even more so because it means Gamble got it all."

"I'm sure it's been tough on you, lad. It hasn't been easy on me, either. I'll be sleeping with one eye open. Gamble doesn't take kindly to people trying to take his money, even if they don't succeed. What can I do to make--" He is interrupted by a comotion at the door to the tavern. The two look up to see two scarred humans enter, followed by a tiefling that is all-too-familiar.

"Out the back, lad. I'll distract them. It's the least I can do. Get yourself back to your ship and sail on out of here. Gamble's not one to forgive such things quickly," the elf hisses, rising and moving away. His voice rises as he approaches the humans. "What are you lot doing here? Come to give me back what I lost at your crooked table?" He ducks the first punch, and easily blocks the second, sending the human staggering forward. As the second thug moves forward the nimble elf grabs his shirt and pulls him off-balance, then nimbly leaps over him to land in front of the tiefling. With a wink Varilar takes the offered coin pouch as he slides past and out the door, running full speed. One has to keep up appearances, after all. This scam would never work again if word got out that he was working with Gamble. [/sblock]
[sblock=stats]Name: Varilar
Male Elf Rogue 1
Alignment: Unaligned

Medium Humanoid, 5’7” tall, 147 lbs, 22 yrs old
Brown hair, Green eyes, Golden skin

Languages: Common, Elven
Vision: Low-Light

Ability Scores (standard array)

Str: 13
Con: 12
Dex: 18 (16+2 racial)
Int: 11
Wis: 12 (10+2 racial)
Cha: 14

Basic Combat Stats

Hit Points: 24
Bloodied: 12
Healing Surge: 7/day
Healing Value: 6

Initiative: +4
Speed: 7 squares (Base 7)
Action Points: 1

Defenses

AC: 16 (+2 armor, +4 dex) (+2 vs. Opportunity Attacks)
Fort: 11 (+1 str)
Ref: 16 (+2 Class, +4 dex)
Will: 12 (+2 cha)

Basic Attacks

Melee: Hit: damage:
Melee: Hit: Damage:
Ranged: Hit: Damage: Range

Weapon & Implement Attack Bonuses for use with Powers

Melee: Hit:
Melee: Hit:
Ranged: Hit:
Implement: Hit:

Passive Skills

Perception
Insight

Skills

Acrobatics (+4 dex, +5 trained)
Arcana
Athletics
Bluff (+2 cha, +5 trained)
Diplomacy
Dungeoneering
Endurance
Heal
History
Insight (+1 wis, +5 trained)
Intimidate
Nature (+2 racial)
Perception (+1 wis, +2 racial)
Religion
Stealth (+4 dex, +5 trained)
Streetwise (+2 cha, +5 trained)
Thievery (+4 dex, +5 trained)

Feats
Nimble Blade


Racial Traits and Powers
Elven Weapon Proficiency
Fey Origin
Group Awareness
Wild Step
Elven Accuracy

Class Features
First Strike
Artful Dodger (+2 AC vs OAs)
Rogue Weapon Talent
Sneak Attack (+2d6)


At Will Powers
Piercing Strike
Sly Flourish

Encounter Powers
Positioning Strike
Elven Accuracy

Daily Powers
Trick Strike



Utility Powers

Rituals

Equipment
Dagger (4)
Leather Armor
Standard Adventurer’s Kit
Hand Crossbow
20 bolts
[/sblock]

 

[The Digger]

I.m sure Charlotte is spending quite a lot of time in bars looking for info on her errant crew and captain. OR she may have signed on with another crew. Either would fit.

 

[Sparky]

I should have made a bet that [del]everyone[/del] most would choose 'the bar.' Come on folks! Stretch!