[LFP] [5e] Curse of Strahd - looking for players!

Under raging storm clouds, the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as he turns his gaze down toward the village of Barovia. A lightning flash rips through the darkness, but Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind fills the midnight air. The master of Castle Ravenloft is having guests for dinner—and you are invited. Hey all. Lookin' for players for a new campaign I'm running.  As a DM: I heavily try to encourage creativity in my players. The rules are guidelines in my book, and it's not a crime to step outside them. I will try to adjust my campaign and its content according to suggestions or requests my players make that I deem fair. I welcome new players and will provide suggestions and explanations if requested to. While I highly encourage roleplaying, I am not grimly serious and occasionally poke fun and joke. I will require your contact on Discord. I allow content from all WOTC published books with very few exceptions (mainly winged tiefling, PC bugbear, and yuan-ti pureblood) but am even then willing to negotiate. The only UA material I certainly allow is Revised Ranger - I will judge on a case-by-case basis whether I'd allow certain material or even homebrew sugggestions. Speaking of homebrew, I apply a handful of rules (these are most if not all of them): I allow the Overrun, Tumble, and Disarm attack options from the DMG. I use a slightly modified (to be more generous) point-buy system for characters - see  here with custom rules adjusted to have 30 available points and 16 maximum purchasable before bonuses. To further increase race/class flexibility and combinations, I allow some  homebrew racial variants that change the ability score increase granted by certain races. I'm starting the campaign at level 1. In most if not all cases I consider drinking a potion an object interaction. I allow everyone to cast more than one spell per turn (a ruling some people don't even know is homebrew!) I use the Simple encumbrance rules. To broadly increase the usefulness of Intelligence, I allow Intelligence ("Knowledge") checks with specific rules: In combat, you can get two Knowledge checks a round with unique economy: one on your turn and one off your turn. These each use up their own unique economy (meaning they don't spend a bonus action, reaction, action, etc.), and you refresh both at the start of your turn. Broadly, you can make Knowledge checks to see if you know anything useful about a situation at hand or a specific creature's weaknesses or strengths. The more geared towards knowing your character is (higher INT, relevant proficiency) the more relevant and useful the information you know is - obviously, this is in addition to your roll's total. Speaking of relevant proficiencies: here is a brief breakdown of them, for clarity and future reference: Religion: Anything obviously relating primarily to religion, but also celestial beings, fiends, eldritch patrons, celestial planes of existence, infernal or abyssal planes of existence, and undead. Arcana: Anything obviously relating primarily to magic, but also abberations, monstrosities, elementals, oozes, and some aspects of some constructs.  Nature: Anything obviously relating primarily to nature, but also certain poisons, dragons, fey, beasts, properties of natural goods, and some aspects of some constructs History: Anything obviously relating primarily to history, but also inforation on most humanoid societies, legends or legendary items, important social figures, and general information Tools: Anything obviously relating primarily to a specific tool proficiency Other: Any information that does not fall into any of these categories. this is done with a raw intelligence check As a Player: You must be completely okay with LGBT+ people and POC. I'm not playing with bigots. You should be okay with swearing, memes, and sexual/crude humor.  You should be able to reliably help communicate and schedule. You should have a reliable mic and internet connection. I expect you to have not played Curse of Strahd before. Please avoid metagaming and/or powergaming - I plenty allow my players margin of error and space to play sub-optimally and still manage fine through the run. Really - feel free to ask or suggest anything! I'm open to suggestions in the campaign and bending the rules for maximum enjoyment for all. If everything you've read so far sounds good, write an application with the following format: Name you'd like to be referred to: Gender/Pronouns: Age: Experience playing DND 5e: Timezone: Free Times: Character Name: Character Race: Character Class: Character Backstory: NOTE:  Currently from the applicants who I've scanned through, it looks like the party might have the following: - Elf Druid - Tiefling Wizard - Gnome Barbarian - Human Fighter (Eldritch Knight) or Sorcerer OR  Shadow Elf Rogue (Inquisitor)/Cleric (Knowledge) Multiclass - Dragonborn Paladin Note that these aren't completely concrete, and some may be liable to change. I won't turn away an applicant for applying with a redundant party role (especially if what I see from the writing is good!) but note that if you do that, you may or may not be asked to change your character somewhat or play as a different one. Still taking applicants at this point, but there's a narrower window now with how many people that've been accepted!

Name you'd like to be referred to: Gabriel Gender/Pronouns: he/him Age: 37 Experience playing DND 5e: LOTS!  I DM for the local library teen program, a campaign for my kids, and a Lasers & Liches playtest group; I've played in a handful of oneshots and some short campaigns Timezone: CST Free Times: Monday/Tuesday before midnight; Most weekend afternoons and evenings (Fri/Sat/Sun) My character is tentative, pending approval.  I can write up a new character, if needed. Character Name: Qha Aaraak Character Class: Monk Character Backstory: Qha Aaraak of the Mistcliffs was born above the jungles of Chult. His father was the chieftain of their aerie, and his mother their tribal medicine woman. While tending to the wounds of a nearby aerie that had been attacked by green wyrmlings, his mother was gravely injured. In an act of vengeance, his father gathered his warriors and attacked the wyrmlings’ nest, but their onslaught was halted by their broodmother green dragon. Nearly the entire Mistcliff aerie was lost to the dragonlings in the following months, leaving many of the Aarakocra fledglings as orphans. While many of the young birdfolk died in their nests from exposure and starvation, Qha left the Mistcliffs in search of food. As he had not yet grown strong enough to fly, he clambered down the sheer rockface toward the jungle floor below. With only a couple of hundred feet left to descend, Qha’s grip on the cliff wall failed, and he began to plummet towards the ground. Beating his tiny wings furiously, he slowed his descent enough that he was not killed upon impact, yet both of his legs were broken above the knee. The Aarakocra’s unconscious body lay on the jungle floor for nearly a day, before a elderly Tabaxi monk noticed him while hunting for mushrooms. The Tabaxi fashioned a litter out of branches and vines, and carried Qha’s broken body back to a nearby cave, where she nursed the injured fledgling back to health. Even so, it was several months before Qha was able to walk again. His Tabaxi savior, Rain-In-Summer, cared for the Aarakocra like her own child and pupil, and in time Qha became skilled in martial arts. Although he was blindingly fast and able to counter the Tabaxi’s attacks, Qha would never be able to bear heavy loads, or carry large weapons due to his previous leg injuries. Rain-In-Summer and Qha grew very close as they trained together. She had left her monastery to seek solitude many years before, but was glad for Qha’s companionship. As he grew older, he began to incorporate new fighting styles alongside Rain’s Way of the Open Hand. Qha’s use of flight during combat was unknown to Rain, and she began to notice that her adopted Aarakocra son has learned all that he could from her. After a ceremony of blessing, Rain sent Qha off into the jungles of Chult to seek further instruction. He left with only the robes upon his back.

(To be continued) Player 1: Name you'd like to be referred to:  Wannalogin Gender/Pronouns: Male Age: 31 Experience playing DND 5e: 3.5 10+ years , skipped 4 , 5e for a few years where i DM. Timezone: +1 GMT Free Times: Sunday Potential character one: (can make it far more intresting, but will need to know how the game starts) Character Name: Glanar FrostBeard Character Race: Dwarf (Mountain) Character Class: Fighter Character Backstory:   Born in Citadel Adbarr, Glanar had almost no contact with the surface world.  Second son of the clan leader, Glanar was ambitious to be in good graces with the others to receive a chance to follow his fathers path in hopes to change their old traditional ways and focus more on the surface world. While Glanar was in good standards with his brother, there was always a sibling rivalry going on. His brother being more prowess as he, made things more hard to impress the clan elders. Glanar was raised as a average dwarf and enjoyed a long traditional study as most dwarves receive. Reading, crafts, history, trade and ofcourse as most Dwarves a long military training. While he did not excell in combat, his tactical wit and sheer willpower to be better made up for it. After being in the Watch of Adbar for a year of 10, it was clear that the clan elders where not going to pick him to succeed his father. Glanar made a drastic choice to leave the citadel temporarily to come back with something to change the elders their minds. Personality: Glanar is a friendly person with a rough exterior. He, as most Dwarves, protects his name and especially the name of his clan. This way he cannot accidently dishonor it. He approaches other friendly races to the Dwarven kind with respect while he keeps his eyes upon creatures that tend to be their enemies or have a natural binding to evil. (Tieflings, Drows/Dark Elves, Duergar for example) As most Dwarves he does not trust other races easily even if he does not show it. Glanar loves to drink, have nice dinners and a conversation, or take some time to study and learn more about his surroundings. As most Dwarves, he approaches things tactically and is unlikely to head straight into battle.   Player 2: Name you'd like to be referred to: Caitlin Gender/Pronouns: Female Age: 27 Experience playing DND 5e: 3.5 10+ years , skipped 4 , 5e for a few years where i DM and are a player. Timezone: +1 GMT Free Times: Sunday Character Name: Character Race: Character Class: Character Backstory:

•Name you'd like to be referred to: Walsh •Gender/Pronouns: Male •Age: 20 •Experience playing DND 5e: 4 long campaigns, 6 one shots •Timezone: EST •Free Times: All day Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings •Character Name: Ulysses •Character Class: Warlock (Raven Queen) •Character Backstory: Growing up in a village with moon elves, Ulysses was was trained in the art of the bow and sword. Preferring to learn more about magic and the gods that can grant power he spent most of his time studying for years on end. Eventually cast out of his village for going against what the Elders of the Village wanted he went to look for a place to study and learn more of magic. While studying he realized he would wanted powers granted to him by a god, so he turned to the Raven Queen. Once contact was made she offered him power but with the cost of having to do whatever she demanded, and eventually leave this plain of existence. He accepted.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Rarebreed, Rare, or Trey. Gender/Pronouns: Male Age: 28 Experience playing DND 5e: No experience, have been reading the books and getting advice from other players. Timezone: GMT -5 Free Times: Mon - Thurs. after 6, Fri - Sun after 8   This character is just what I have come up with while reading.  I can change anything and everything at request.  Other classes that interest me are Paladin, Druid, and Ranger. Character Name: Narnek Bonebraid Character Race: Dwarf Character Class: Cleric Character Backstory: Raised by his parents for a short time, Narnek Bonebraid knew little of the world until one day they up and dropped him off at a Temple of Helm leaving a note they had an adventure of their own, to locate information on the gauntlets of Helm that were rumored to have been found.  From that day forward Narnek studied and worshipped Helm hoping to one day gain his favor.  Many years passed and a letter came, this letter was signed by Narnek's parents, and told the temple to give Narnek their final farewells that they would no longer be coming back.  They left little information regarding the lost gauntlet artifact that was once worn by Helm himself, but knew that Narnek would find it.  Narnek trained and prayed until finally Helm rewarded Narnek's faith and devotion with divine powers and gave him a mission "protect those in need, do not forsake those who require your aid.  I will be here, watching, and if you continue along your path of selflessness, I will reward you. . ." So with that, Narnek set off, with little to go on and a few coin in his purse, Narnek began his long journey to find the lost artifact, and hopefully a few friends along the way.

Gabriel P. I'd prefer if you didn't play an aarakocra (which I'm guessing is your character's race), but if you really insist I'd be willing to negotiate. I'm iffy on starting campaigns at level 1 with characters that can fly. Rarebreed The campaign is set in the Forgotten Realms - Belanus isn't a deity in the setting. If you want to play as the same character, please adjust the deity referenced. Also, I should ask that anyone who applied before I added the character race part to the application format, please add that! Thank you! Also - still accepting applications!

Everything is updated.  Sorry for the diety issue I'm not quite used to all the different realms and settings yet.

I'd very much like to join in! Name you'd like to be referred to: Jayce Gender/Pronouns: Male Age:26 Experience playing DND 5e: I have played through this campaign, though heavily altered from it's source to the point of being unrecognizable. I have also played through quite a bit of ToA. All together, about a years worth of experience, plus multiple years in DnD 4e, and Pathfinder. Timezone: EDT Free Times: Monday-Friday, any time before 9:30PM. Character Name: "The Hero", no name given. Character Race: Aasimar Character Class: Paladin Character Backstory:  Bare with me on this idea, ever seen "Stranger than Fiction"? It's like that. Basically, this character is brought to life via Wish spell or some other means, his entire existence is fabricated by a child who's writing a story. Said child is actually cursed/in a coma, but still managing to magically write the story, using the hero as their vessel to save their own life. As a result of his nature, anyone would be able to hear the child's voice narrating his story as it happens, but he would not. His goals would be very generic, something a child would write, "climb the tallest mountain, slay your shadow self" that kind of thing, but his ultimate goal, unknowingly, is to save that kid.  I realize it's a bit outlandish and requires a lot of extra work to be believable, so I am willing to rewrite if necessary, or simply play something else if a Paladin itself is not necessary in the party. I enjoy making characters, so I have no problem filling a role that isn't filled.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Eden Gender/Pronouns:  She Age: 43 Experience playing DND 5e: Couple test games, played all the previous versions and pathfinder. Timezone:  GMT +3 (+2 at winter) Free Times: Monday after 16:00, Tuesday day/afternoon, Thursday after 16:00, Friday day/afternoon Character Name: Fenkenkabradon Runa "Just" Character Race: Dragonborn Character Class: Paladin of Bahamut Character Backstory: From a young age Runa has heard the higher calling of service, be it towards protecting the innocent or correcting the evil she has not shied from her self imposed duty. Her childhood with the Clan was happy and sustained her growth to well balanced, strong warrior. This all changed, however, when she met the Platinum Cadre and felt in her heart that the message they preached was True. As the order slowly integrated itself into the Dragonborn society, she started to realize the joy of other races and the lands beyond her clan territories and Tymanther as whole. Luckily to her it was acceptable for young paladins to leave to a holy journey to seek the god's will from the wide world.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Ale Gender/Pronouns: He Age: 40 Experience playing DND 5e: A couple of games in 5th edition, years in all previous editions + pathfinder. Timezone: UTC +3 (+2 in winter) Free Times: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after 1300 UTC up to 1600 UTC . Character Name:  Fenkenkabradon Seraan "Beloved" Character Race:   Dragonborn Character Class: Bard Character Backstory: Born with an insatiable wanderlust, Seraan chomped at the bit to be left out in the bigger world, but his elders always thought he was too näive and trusting to be sent alone in a world that could be quite hostile to their people. As such, Seraan learned of the world from books and the stories of wandering minstrels. One day, an older wandering bard had an accident in the clan territory that left him crippled for weeks and during this time young Seraan grew close to the old man, listening to his stories and acting as his helper for the time he remained with the clan.  During the years, the old man, named Heldern Greencloak, took to regularly visit the clans to see young Seraan and teach him more of the bardic arts as he had detected the talent Seraan had for them. Finally an adult, Seraan was allowed to leave the clan lands as his sister, Runa, was also going on her holy journey. He decided to accompany her to see the world and write the tales of her epic deeds in the name of Bahamut.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Jackson Gender/Pronouns: Male Age: 18 Experience playing DND 5e: A total of 5 sessions from a campaign that got cut short Timezone: EST Free Times: I am free pretty much every day later in the afternoon/evening. Early during the day will be difficult for me but I can manage some days. However, next week I may only be able to meet on Sunday the 17th   (I have more details on this if accepted but i am free more days than just Sunday next week). I will have more details on this later they are kinda hazy right now but after that time I should be free every day in the evening unless otherwise communicated. Character Name: Vander Cain Character Race: Elf Character Class: Druid Character Backstory: For the majority of his childhood Vander was ignored by his parents barely receiving any attention from them. As he got older his parents would often "forget" to feed him and only make enough food for themselves. In response Vander turned to the forests near his home where he learned how to survive off of nature and take just what he needs and nothing more. In time as he spent more and more time within nature he began to come across the Dryad that lived within the forests which soon set him on his path to becoming a Druid. Despite his rather poor upbringing with his parents he still has the tendency to see the good in people first a little too much which causes him to not really understand the concept of "Stranger Danger" well unless they are harming nature or being obviously aggressive towards him or his companions. While he loved the forests near his home he always dreamed of leaving his home when he became and adult and finding either a place or a group of people he could be happy with far away from his parents all while trying to teach people to be more respectful to nature as he traveled.

Jayce H I would really, really rather my players have not played through the campaign. Can you explain at all how the version you ran through was modified? I'm also unsure about the character concept.  Still accepting applications! I'm likely not going to lock anyone in for a while, but I'll make sure to update when I do.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Aaron Gender/Pronouns: Male (he)  Age: 25 Experience playing DND 5e: I have played three campaigns in real life all of which have been as a paladin. Paladin of vengeance, conquest and ancients. I really like paladins. All of my experience has been with customs campaigns using standard rules but I have been really looking for a group to play curse of strahd. I am currently playing a wizzard necromancer in a selection of one shots.  Timezone: GMT+0 Free Times: currently free whenever.  Character Name: Steve longstrider  Character Race: human variant  Character Class: paladin or cleric. Which ever you and the party prefer i am happy with either. Realistically I don't mind what class I play. I just want to play.  Character Backstory: Steve was adventuring with a group of paladins from a local order he had become acquainted with. His adventures with them would take him through caves and dungeons all around the local area all for the experience but mainly for the glory. One faithful day Steve went to clear out a cave that had a known portal to the underdark in it. This would prove to be a grave mistake to venture to this cave as the order had been betrayed by maldrox dragonborne paladin high commander. It had transpired that Maldrox had broken his paladin oath to be able to gain the power the of the dragon queen herself but this power required a sacrifice. Steve and his friends were captured and were forced to fight in the underdark arena. One by one Steve watch his friends fall until only he remained. Steve entered the arena and was greeted by 3 armed goblins. Steve beseeched his god and his prayers were answered as he was granted the temporary power to slay the goblins. Unbeknownst to Steve, Maldrox was watching and jumped into the arena piercing steves chest with his mighty glaive. Steve was left for dead but was rescued by Barook who saw potential in Steve after his prayer was answered. Steve was led to the exit and sent to stop Maldrox. 

Name you'd like to be referred to: Josh Gender/Pronouns: Male Age: 23 Experience playing DND 5e: played a couple campaigns in 3.5e  Timezone: EST Free Times: Most evenings after 10 Character Name: Raigo Character Race: Stout Halfling Character Class: Wizard Character Backstory: Raigo is an eccentric wizard who was targeted by the mischievous pranks of a fairy dragon. This opened his mind to considering how the power of magic extends far past simple destruction. He is hungry for knowledge and exploration, always searching for another spell to add to his tome. I haven't played in a while not sure of the changes in editions but am interested in getting back into it and am open to advice.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Khanh Gender/Pronouns: Male Age: 23 Experience playing DND 5e: Not much/barely any/very little Timezone: PST Free Times: Most nights unless i have a prop project to work on No character currently? I have only played premade characters and only made a character once with a DM friend of mine. Character Name: Character Race: Character Class: Character Backstory:

Name you'd like to be referred to: Logick Discord is Logick#6735 Gender/Pronouns: Male Age: 22 Experience playing DND 5e: 1 test game, 3 sessions of a canceled game. Have only played homebrew 5e stuff and no modules, also have played alot of pathfinder, some savage worlds, and a few sessions of iron kingdoms. Timezone:EST Free Times: Saturdays at any time, and early or mid day on Monday,Tuesday, and Thursday (given my night job starts at 10PM I kind of have to leave by 9:00PM-9:30PM) Character Name: Keten Cogtrick Character Race: Rock Gnome Character Class: Barbarian Character Backstory (can be changed if unfriendly to lore) - Keten before his adventuring days started was nothing more than a student at a university devoted to magic and science. He was studying to become a scientist and an inventor, however, he had a bit of a mean streak from the years of being laughed at for his "toys" that the other students and even some faculty called his inventions. One day during a massive showing off infront of the campus, Keten revealed his inventions to all of them! His cheerful grin turned to despair when everyone in the auditorium began to laugh, his inventions, his pride being called toys and not usable except as a decoration. Everyone was laughing at him...even the professors and the Chancellor himself, and something snapped in him and for the first time he leapt and attacked someone, the Chancellor himself, punched him in the face hard enough to break his jaw and was immeadiately Expelled. Keten collected his things and left the university but not before making a pledge that one day he will return and prove to everyone that his inventions weren't toys and could be used practically, even in a world full of magic.

Hi there! Name you'd like to be referred to: Daniel/Shadow/Restryza (Shadow if no other Shadows, but it's a popular moniker.) Gender/Pronouns: Male Age: 30 Experience playing DND 5e: Year and a half Timezone: EST Free Times: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday after 4 pm EST In place of character description: I come up with characters randomly on the fly to add to my personal enjoyment and force myself to potentially expand myself as a player beyond my comfort zone. I find this leads to more interesting characters for me to play who discover themselves in the process of their creation and throughout their play as I and the other players do. I determine this by rolling a d20 to determine race, omitting any not allowed and that I don't have the books for. I then roll 1d12 to determine class and a d?? to determine subrace and subclass and a d13 to determine background. This method has produced some interesting characters like a Half-Orc Horizon Walker Ranger, Half-Elf Oath of Ancients Paladin, Aasimar Cavalier Fighter, and Dwarf Whispers Bard. Hopefully you enjoy what I bring to the table as you sound like an interesting DM. ^_^

Name you'd like to be referred to:  Ken Gender/Pronouns:  He/Him/Hey you! Age:  29 Experience playing DND 5e:  Roughly 1 year Timezone:  PST Free Times:  Monday - Thursday, 8am - 4pm PST This is a tentative character concept, I imagine you're looking for creativity muscles rather than a solid concept set in concrete. Character Name:  Baern Oakbreaker Character Race:  Dwarf Character Class:  Cleric Character Backstory:  Born to a clan whose views had become so rigid and conservative that there was little room for any kind of change. At a young age he seemed to bear the curse of an inquisitive mind, constantly asking "why" and never accepting the answer "that's just the way it is." He never found his real place within that society, though lived a decent life a smith, just one of many in his family business. He knew he was different due to the feelings inside him that arose whenever he was close, or even thought, of his dear friend Thoradein, however due to the clan's strict teachings he knew these thoughts were 'wrong', yet his cursed inquisitive mind asked the question, "why?" He made due loving his friend in secret until one day he was told by his family that he would soon be wed to a woman he barely knew; this union would make their family strong, he was told this would be a great deed. Yet for the first time ever he refused a command from his family, telling them that he would not wed someone he didn't love. They laughed and told him he could have mistresses on the side, but he had grown so tired of hiding himself and secretly asking why he should be ashamed of the gender or person he loved. He confessed to his family and for his "crimes" he was nearly beaten to death, then stripped of his families brand and the mark of his clan and exiled from the safety of his mountain home. Yet through it all, laying in the shadow of the mountain as the rain washed blood from his face he felt truly happy, happy that even if he were to die he would no longer die as someone he was not. He fell asleep there, and in his dreams a vision of Thoradein came to him, he told Baern how proud he was of his choices, choosing freedom over safety in being shackled, and that he was destined to forge a new path in life, a path of his own making. He woke from the dream to the sound of thunder, and lightning split the darkness of the sky shattering an old oak tree nearby. Suddenly healed from his wounds Baern approached the blackened and charred piece of wood, picking it up he knew it was a gift from above and would be the making of the weapon that would help him forge his destiny, his warhammer.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Bob Gender/Pronouns: Male Age: 41 Experience playing DND 5e: 5E for about 3 years.  I have played every version before this, except for 4E. Timezone: CST Free Times: Sunday or Monday evening after 6pm.. Two choices Character Name: Chalcedon Gimbalhack Character Race: Deep Gnome Character Class: Rogue (Arcane Trickster) Character Backstory: It is not common for Deep Gnomes to leave their home land and venture forth, much less all the way to the surface.  Despite this, Gimbal has always dreamed of going to the surface.  He had made his way as far as Mantol-Derith, when he met some of the most delightful people he had ever met.  They were humans, bringing trade supplies to the deep.  Hoping to make a hefty sum.  They were so overly concerned about all of the normal denizens in Chal's home, they didn't notice losing one small box.  The box contained the tastiest treats ever!  Sweets!  Chal made himself fat eating all these treats and wanted more.  Asking around, the best way for him to make his way to the surface was to join a caravan  He joined one, made his way to Waterdeep, where he finally settled down. OR Character Name: Vahni Falma Character Race: Fire Genasi Character Class: Fighter (Eldritch Knight) Character Backstory: Vahni has led a tough life.  He served far too many years as a sell-sword working for one mostly insane despot or another.  Most of the men he served with were...morons.  He found his only sanctuary from dealing with them was a combination of reading...and the bottle.  He loved  drinking, and reading.  All things considered, he probably was ready to quit his most recent posting, but they just decided to make it easier for him.  Since then, he has used his severance pay to drink himself into oblivion.  Its not his fault that stupid people follow him around and need to be set straight.  Once he sobers up, we'll see what's next in store.  Maybe this time, he can actually get somewhere.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Justin Gender/Pronouns: He/Him Age: 21 Experience playing DND 5e: Playing since it was first released Timezone: East Coast  Free Times: Any weekday evenings, weekend nights Character Name: Julius  Character Race: Hobgoblin Character Class: Wizard Character Backstory: Julius Trajanus is a self-imposed exile from a tribe of hobgoblins who decided early on that it would be impossible to develop his magical talents while confined inside the rigid societal structure of hobgoblin culture, and set out on his own with the goal of becoming a powerful mage, so that he may one day return to his tribe as a leader. 

Name you'd like to be referred to: Vinicius Gender/Pronouns: He/Him Age: 26 Experience playing DND 5e: Played a campaign in 5e (came from Pathfinder) and DM'd one short campaign. Timezone:  BRT (-3) Free Times: weekday nights Character Name: Morwingion Character Race: Half-elf Character Class: Warlock Character Backstory:  When Morwingion was but a child playing in the woods a strange voice ocurred to him. That strange voice tricked him into a pact promising great power. Since this day the voice guides the little Morwingion in moments of stress. At the start that voice would spend years without being heard, but as the time went by it become more and more frequent. On Morwingion's 20th birthday he was awaken in the middle of the night by a fey creature floating above his bed. When the creature spoke he instantly recognized his voice. It was the voice which was speaking to him all his life. "Now is the time. Go and seek for knowledge. You've been stuck here for too long. Take this and collect every piece of information you can about this world.". He said as he let a tome fall on Morwingion's bed. Morwingion was speechless with such a sight. Reached for the tome and start flipping it's pages as he tried to mutter some words: "What do you expect of me?" "You are bond to great deeds, Morwingion" the fey creature said as it was slowly vanishing.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Shava Gender/Pronouns: she/her Age: 18 Experience playing DND 5e: I've been playing for about 5 months, started DMing a long campaign 4 months ago Timezone:  EST Free Times: after 6 weekdays/Sundays, all day Saturday Character Name: Norwood Wayra Character Race: Earth Genasi Character Class: Druid Character Backstory: Norwood's mother had blessed him with many gifts in his lifetime. Constantly traveling from place to place, she was always seeking to teach him more about the world they inhabited. She had taught him how to fight on a bodyguard job she had taken, so that he would be able to hold his own if the need ever arose. She had taught him how to hunt and track as they herded caribou one winter season, so he would always have a full belly in the harsh climates he would face. She had taught him how to commune with nature while searching for a wanted criminals across the globe, showing him how read the tracks and feel the energy of the world course through his veins.   Some 30 years later, Norwood had never forgotten these lessons; now on his own adventures in this world after she had moved on to the greater planes. She had created in him a man who's mind and heart filled with the same knowledge and love of the world that he had known in her, a man who moved through the world feeling the beat of the earth thrum in tune with his own heart and soul, as he traveled wherever the wind would take him. And that was, in the end, the greatest gift his mother could have ever given him- the heart of an adventurer.

NOTE: Currently from the applicants who I've scanned through, it looks like the party might have the following: - Elf Druid - Tiefling Wizard - Gnome Barbarian - Human Fighter (Eldritch Knight) or Sorcerer OR Shadow Elf Rogue (Inquisitor)/Cleric (Knowledge) Multiclass - Dragonborn Paladin Note that these aren't completely concrete, and some may be liable to change. I won't turn away an applicant for applying with a redundant party role (especially if what I see from the writing is good!) but note that if you do that, you may or may not be asked to change your character somewhat or play as a different one. Still taking applicants at this point, but there's a narrower window now with how many people that've been accepted! 

Name you'd like to be referred to: Shane Gender/Pronouns: Male (should be noted, I'm trans but haven't begun my transition, so chances are I will change what I want you to call me) Age: 18 Experience playing DND 5e: I've been playing and DMing for a year and a half. Timezone: EST Free Times: After the 11th, I'm free basically all day Mondays and Wednesdays. Character Name: Gnaazza Character Race: Goblin (Might go with your Big Mouth variety, not sure if I want Con or Cha). Character Class: Hexblade Warlock (with no plans to multiclass, if you're worried about that) Character Backstory:  Gnaazza lived most of her life under the rule of incredibly oppressive Hobgoblin leadership. She tried her hardest to help the clan in any way she could and avoid being noticed, but she was unsuccessful. She tried sewing, cooking, smithing, anything she could possibly help with, but found she failed at all of them. Eventually, in a last-ditch effort to not be exiled, she joined a raiding squad to try her hand in combat. Surprisingly, the raid went well. Gnaazza killed a single human during the raid, who was wielding a small black crossbow inlaid with runes, which Gnaazza went to inspect after the fight. It was quickly snatched up by the bugbear leading the raid, but still, she felt it call out to her. That night, she snuck into the camp's treasure horde, stole the weapon, and ran. The following morning, when she finally got a chance to rest, she was visited in her dreams by a shadowy figure who offered a deal.

Name you'd like to be referred to: Alex Gender/Pronouns: He/him/his or they/them/theirs Age: 20 Experience playing DND 5e: 2 sessions playing a homebrew campaign that went nowhere. Timezone: CDT Free Times: Evenings and nights Character Name: Perries Qwop Character Race: Halfling Character Class: Warlock (GOO) Character Backstory: Perries Qwop is a being of some mystery. In his youth, Perries was an apprentice to a wizard of middling skill and terrible teaching skills. Frustrated by his master's incompetence, and hungry for power, Perries set about teaching himself, and it was not difficult for the entity Rhi'chth'a'aar'dh to convince Perries to enter its service. Perries, lusting for power and lacking wisdom, accepted the Old One's power without really examining the terms of the agreement, and was driven mad as part of the deal with his new Patron. From then on, he has acted as an agent of his master, who he refers to as "Richard", or more commonly "Old Dick", primarily through whispering into the minds of others, making messes in taverns, and general harmless chaos.