Let's get together!

First of all, thank you DM for the invitation! So, I'm making this post so we can get to know each other better and start thinking about our characters already :) A little about me: my name is Matheus, I'm from a really small town in Brazil and I'm 20 years old. I've been playing RPGs for almost half of my life, however there aren't many people here, where I live, that play too. I've GMed some games, but only played 5E once. I prefer to play, in every system, as what my character would do in a determined situation, not what I would do. With that in mind, I usually make a character (and level up them) with what makes sense for them, not trying to play the system or making the best character possible. Now, about creating a character, I usually fill role gaps, so I would like to hear what you guys have in mind for your characters before creating mine (but I can make one if you guys also prefer to fill gaps too).

Hi Mat, that's a great idea! :) My name's Aviana, I'm 27 and from Greenland but currently living and studying in Denmark. So I'm guessing what's midday/afternoon to most of you guys is going to be evening for me. I too tend to create and play my characters according to their personality rather than optimize them according to the game system (I have Pokemon for that nonsense ;P). In general, my characters tend to be either very conscientious, lawful characters or very impulsive, chaotic characters and may fill any role within a group more or less. I like to play around with contrasts and fit my character to the group or context they're in. So for this group, my character might depend on whatever sticky we end up deciding on. So far I've been considering either a tiefling paladin, halfling rogue or maybe a tiefling sorcerer or half elf warlock. Or maybe a boisterous dragonborn barbarian. Hm, decisions, decisions... Maybe we could also throw in ideas for how our characters might know each other while we're at it? For instance, they could all have a parent in the same famous adventuring group or they could all be from the same town or something? Or they could simply all have come to wherever we're starting from individually searching for the lost mines and decided to form a group due to their common goal?

Thanks for making the post Matheus, good way for us to get that initial ball rolling, and Chuck for getting us all together in the first place. So a little about me then, my name's RJ, I'm fairly new to this type of RPG, but I'm definitely excited to dive in.  I'm 28 years old, and live in the US, more specifically Chicago and happen to be a Web Developer by day.  I try to actually do some acting in my free time whenever I can, and developing a character and playing the role has always been a passion, so I think it was only a matter of time before I did a full deep dive into RPG's. As far as character, I was hoping to go with a Wood Elf, and hoping to stick with Ranger although I would be open to a Rogue as well, since I'm fairly new I would just generally prefer not to be on the front lines or the healer everyone is depending on, generally stick to the shadows or shoot from a distance. I have a fairly decent backstory in mind, but I'm more than happy to amend it around the development of the party.  Although generally kind of thinking of the sort of social outcast of his community, finding his way towards a group he can really connect with.

Just going along with Aviana's ideas about us meeting prior, I kind of had an idea of my character, this is kind of what I had sort of jotted down, and then I kind of thought of a way for it to connect a bit with Aviana. Character: Raynor Wood Elf Ranger Being raised within his Elf village was not very easy, especially in the Southern Forrest village of Elves he grew up in, it forced him to live in a community that he was always the outcast due to his family history. He was raise by his grandfather Edron (from his Mother's side), a very stern man who never showed much love, and always seemed to view Raynor as more of an obligation than anything. Raynor's mother (Edenara) left soon after his birth, while she never gave a reason for leaving, Raynor could only assume it was due to the shame and ridicule from the other Elves from birthing the offspring of his shunned father who was cast out long ago. Raynor never met his Father and while he asked people of the village about him, no one would really tell him anything about his Father, although the fellow elves never let him forget what made him different. This lead to Raynor living life as an outcast, but he fell into the role as well as someone could. One day when returning from hunting, he could smell something in the air, the fire. He returned to his village to find everyone massacred, he scrambled to find his grandfather, but he was also dead. He could feel a presence not far, it hit him like a wave sending fear down his spine, and he knew it was returning. Already having his bow, quiver, and short sword on him from hunting, he took off into the woods, trying to get as far away from whatever creature he could feel off in the distance. He attempted to remain as stealthy as he could while surviving in the wild, although his stealth was not as well trained as the Halfling Rogue who stumbled upon him in the forest (if you're planning to go with that character) or maybe he collapses from exhaustion, and is aided by a tiefling paladin that had been traveling through (if you went that route with your character). Something along those lines could work for an initial introduction of 2 characters. 

Hello! My name Elias, im 18 years old from Norway. I have watched a lot of DnD online but dont really have that much experience playing. I am also brand new to 5e. For character i am currently thinking I want to play a dumb* fighter who really wants/likes to protect people. *I am unsure how dumb. I really likeShavix's idea for a back story, that our parents, or maybe grandparents, where in the same adventuring group. I really look forward to playing DnD with an expericed group! (I have only played with brand new players so far.)

Hi everyone! I'm Shelly from Canada! I'm still relatively new to D&D but I enjoy watching Critical Role and have played a handful of sessions already. I am very much looking forward to playing out this campaign with all of you!  I enjoy role playing and am eager to flesh out a great character and story hook.  Looking at the choices people are entertaining so far, I think I'm leaning towards rolling a Dwarf Cleric in case we need a little divine help through out our travels. Hehe.   A little bit about my Dwarf's backstory:  Sigrun Forgehammer, Hill Dwarf, Life Cleric Sigrun had a quiet, typical Dwarf upbringing. Her mother was an inn keeper, her father a blacksmith. She worked at the inn with her mother, and eventually married her father's apprentice, Devlyn. Later, they had a son named Osol, who was the centre of Sigrun's world. When Osol was 6 years old, still a wee little lad, a young white Dragon attacked their clan looking to add to its hoard and leaving many dead and wounded. While Sigrun was merely a barmaid, like many Dwarves, she knew how to wield a hammer, and did everything to hold back the attack and protect Osol, standing her ground as best she could against a Dragon. Its size and strength proved too much. Once the battle settled, Sigrun was found barely alive under a pile of heavy rubble, clutching the tiny body of her beloved son. It took many weeks before she fully recovered physically, but emotionally, she never recovered entirely. Osol's death was difficult for both her and Devlyn, each dealing with the loss in their own way: Devlyn at the bottom of a barrel of ale, Sigrun with keeping busy around the inn. The void in their lives remained. During the battle, the Goddess Sune, of love and beauty, had been so touched with Sigrun's fierce protection of her beloved son, and saddened by Sigrun's deep grief at her loss. A mother's love is powerful, but sometimes, even a love that strong could not prevent the loss of a beloved. Seeing Sigrun's life spiral out of control, increasingly without meaning, Sune came to Sigrun in her dreams, beckoning her to heed her call. She had much love and good still in her heart, something the world needed sorely. Sigrun became obsessed with learning more about the Beautiful Lady in her dreams, but found a lack of information within Dwarven lore, as the Goddess was not part of the Dwarven pantheon of Gods. She made the decision to seek out other followers of Sune, to make a pilgrimage to the Lady of Love and Beauty. She asked Devlyn to come with her, imploring him to give up drinking, to find peace and love, but Devlyn grieved still, resentful that Sigrun seemed to have found purpose, and he refused to go, even going so far as to forbid her to leave. Sigrun, saddened by Devlyn's choice but undeterred, left her clan to learn the ways of Sune. She and Devlyn have only seen each other once or twice since she left to follow Sune's call, the last being about 12 years ago. Sigrun has been part of Sune's temple, priesthood and followers for over 20 years now, and has risen through the ranks to become a full fledged Cleric of Sune, who has been sent on a quest to retrieve one of the Lady of Beauty and Love's sacred texts. Since she's out and about in the world looking on her own quest to find sacred texts, she'd run into many people, offering aid when she can, even if it means going off on a tangent in her own quest. She strongly feels that the journey is more important than the destination. She could have easily come across an injured someone and decided to accompany her new friend on a journey or even have overheard of an organisation needing assistance of a healer.   I'm super flexible when it comes to character connections. :D  (Also, I can adjust anything in the backstory to fit.)

Well I think it may be very plausible that Sigrun was the one to find Raynor while he was unconscious, (also allowing Aviana to be a bit more free in her decision of who she would like to develop as her character). Maybe she aided him in recovery, and they worked together to make their way along at the beginning of their journey, in doing so, Raynor has been shown some kindness for the first time in many years that he's not received from his own people.  Making him more protective of Sigrun, feeling more like she is some level of family, at least more closely resembling family than he has experienced in his past. Then we just need to find the next step in connecting us with the rest of the party.

Also an idea, feel free to change it up if you'd like, but just to go along with our parents/grandparents having been an old adventuring party together. Maybe one of the few things my grandfather told me was that should anything happen I should go to a particular Inn or place, and leave word with someone or create some sort of signal that is known to his old party members... this would allow for other members to meet each other along the way, or simply meet us at the spot where I left word.  This would also give a destination for Sigrun and Raynor to journey towards. Just a general idea on arranging our meeting, but I'm definitely open to some other suggestions.

I have expanded a bit on my character, I can change what ever to fit in with the "how we know each other part" Helm Black has always been a bit simple. as a young dwarf he never quite understood all this about some guy he had been named after, who apperantly was invincible. But what Helm lacked in cunning, he made up for in strenght and cindness, and soon found his way in the army. One fategfull day a young white dragon was attacking a neaby village in kingdom he hade sworn to protect.(story connection. YAY! Took some liberties, hope that is fine.) The dragon had already brought grave destruction on the village by the time they got there. In the midst of the fight Helm could see the dragon close in on his liege lord, whom was backed into a corned. Helm reacted quickly and fercly, and saved the lord by taunting the dragon. After the fight was over, Helm was promoted to the lords personal bodyguard and was graned a glorious warhammer. Many years later, during a visit from the king. Helm found him rude, unkind and unconcerned for the safety of his people. At one point, when Helm happened to be near, the king issued a particularly curel slight. Helm simply broke, and charged at the king, swinging his warhammer at the kings hand, smashing two of his fingers. since that day the simple dwarf has wandered far and wide. His only item of value; his hammer, his chain mail, and a weird, supposedly magical, compass. given down to him from his adventuring father who he had never met.

Popped on for a moment at work and this thread brought a tear to my eye. You guys are gonna be awesome.  Very excited to play with y'all!

And now I read everyone's posts fully and I am literally doing a happy dance in my chair. I absolutely cannot wait to delve into your characters' stories. I already have plot lines brewing in my head. :)

I'm glad we can get you so excited about it Chuck, I know I've been chiming in a lot today, it's just generally been a somewhat slower day at my work, so I figured I'd make use of it here, plus I'm really excited. Also I really love the supposed magical compass idea which was handed down... maybe that could be the drawing point? So just as an idea: My grandfather told me of an ancient tree (or ancient ruins) that I should go to if anything were to happen to him, Sigrun and Raynor travel there on their journey, and Raynor immediately knows to look under a stone, and there covered in moss and wrapped in vines he finds a compass.  As soon as he reaches down to wipe away the moss and pry it from the vines, it immediately points in a particular direction that it wasn't pointing before. When Sigrun notices what Raynor has, she reaches to her side, and pulls out an identical compass, now suddenly pointing in the same direction. That's kind of just an idea, I really don't want to assume anything about other characters, or try to take control of the story or anything, just thought I would throw it out there as an idea.  Feel free to change, adjust, or completely override it as you all see fit, I'm more than happy to go along with other ideas, I just happened to have been the one who probably had the most free time today, so I wound up diving in a bit more than I probably should.

I dig the magica compass idea, RJ. If everyone else likes it, go for it! Seriously, y'all, feel free to go nuts with your ideas. I can't promise that everything will be covered in-game, but the more story hooks available to me, the more I can put your characters in the spotlight, where they deserve to be!

I did want to say one more thing -- RJ's post in the tone thread made me remember. I'm going to disallow Evil-aligned characters (because I don't want the party betrayed from within) and I strongly caution you against so-called "chaotic stupid" characters. You know, the kind who do crazy things for no other reason than to cause trouble (I attack the guard! I throw poop at the king! I put my underwear on my head!). From what I've seen of y'all so far I really doubt that will be a problem, but I'm covering my bases here. :)

Hey guys! RJ, I think that's a wonderful hook for Raynor and Sigrun. I would definitely go with that for their meeting and subsequent adventuring together. Already, I can tell Sigrun will be very protective of Raynor and eventually Helm when they meet, especially when she finds out he tried to help her clan from the dragon attack.  I like the magical compass idea as well. Sigrun deeply believes her Goddess guides her in everything, so happening upon Raynor which eventually leads them both to compasses, to Sigrun, is meant to be.  I'm very excited about all of this!

Aww, but what if the underwear is especially fashionable and surprisingly comfortable on one's head? But yes, I get what you mean about chaotic stupid characters. They can ruin a party as surely as a pure evil character xP Speaking of which, this character idea sort of popped into my mind earlier today and I thought I'd try and air it a bit just for the heck of it. It's intended as something of a comedic character, but the humor's maybe a little on the dark side. But the idea was of a half-elf warlock who's spent most of her life studying under her scholarly father. The father was studying other planes of existence when a horrible monster from another plane attacked and killed him, leaving her alone. She's been searching for a way to find and kill the monster ever since. It is also the same monster she's pulling her warlock powers from. But her personality is a bit wonky. Living most of her life cooped up in a tower, she's somewhat socially inept and so tend to be very blunt with her thoughts without considering others' feelings. However, she's spent quite a lot of time reading about epic adventures and is quite enamored with the idea of her very own adventuring group. So she goes out and searches for one. If we go with the idea of them all descending from the same adventuring group, she'll likely seek them out purposefully and decide that they're all going to be a big family together now, regardless of what everyone else thinks. The idea was for something like a sociopathic Don Quixote of sorts. With magic and a whole group to share all the fun with. But if this idea doesn't work with the rest of y'all, I've a bag full of other ideas ;P In any case, I really like the other character ideas and backstories posted so far. Having the healing-oriented cleric finding the injured Raynor definitely makes the most sense. So I guess I'm stuck finding other ideas for gluing my character into the group ;D I really like the magic compass thing idea as well! Could be a very interesting thing to tie the whole group together and add some mystery for them to solve together! :D

After reading your character idea in this thread and the other one, I'm positive Sigrun would feel a lot of empathy for your warlock, Aviana. Poor boo.

Liking your character idea, Aviana! Sounds great to me. :)

Hello everyone, my name is Patrick and I'm 21 years old living in the United States. I'm seeing awesome character ideas and I feel like this is going to be a fun game with a great group. I have something in mind of a halforc barbarian leaving his tribe to hone his skills, go kill creatures he has never seen before, and mostly for the adventure. Ill try to have a background story by tonight or tomorrow, when I get home, today has been a busy day.

As with Chuck, I got a little tear in my eye when I saw so many notifications. Awesome response and awesome characters :D So, I thought about two characters for myself, after seeing yours, and would like help deciding which one fits the group better:  A Halfling Bard named Tedric Cliffsong. He was always fascinated by music growing up and always asked to accompany his father on adventures, to have some stories to sing about, however his mother never liked the idea. Growing up, Tedric acquired some Bard skills and then, one day he got to accompany his father. However, on this fateful day, a Dragon almost wiped the group they were traveling with. Tedric was one of the two survivors, and the shock of that battle was so strong that he forgot his way home. Tedric started traveling a lot, searching for anything that would bring him home. In one of the places he was staying, he found Raynor, Helm Black and Sigrun looking for a safe place to rest. In a glance, he sees these magical compass they were carrying and tells them his story, in hope they could use the compass to help him find his home.  An Wood Elf Rogue named Elvalur. He grew up away from his family after being exiled  for taking the blame in a murder committed by a friend, called Fenneros. However this "friend" only used him for a bigger plot the Elvalur never got to know. Some time after this incident, Fenneros managed to track Elvalur and said to him: "You had a part in my plan, so it's only fair you receive some of the spoils". Fenneros throws a compass that reacts as soon as Elvalur catches it. Fenneros then whistles and some mercenaries show. Elvalur starts running but it's not enough. Aviana's warlock and Patrick's barbarian show up to save the day. Elvalur as a sign of gratitude gives them the compass and asks to travel along, as he fears for his life staying alone. (I would create another compass for this character, if it's ok) Would love to know what you guys think about them :)

Both great characters, Matheus. I can work with this. ;) Everyone seems to really like the compass idea, and I agree. I've started to think of this as the "Compass Campaign," which will do as a placeholder until I can figure out something cooler. :D  Aviana, I realize it's early and I don't want to lock you into your character idea if you want to change it, but I have some ideas for the monster that is the source of your warlock's powers. Are you okay with sort of shrouding it in mystery for now? Rest assured, everyone: threads are coming together, weaving plots out of whole cloth in mah brain meats. Phandelver is just the beginning for this group.... :D

The Silent Arrow tribe had a decent life in The North with everything they needed to grow and prosper until one day the Frozen Bone horde decided to move near the tribe, everyone knew it was a matter of time the horde will come to pillage everything they have worked so hard to achieve, there was an uneasy feeling in the air. The three rules of Silent Arrow decided the best option was to speak to the chieftain so they can strike a deal of peace before it was too late, in the end it happen, but it came with a heavy price. One of the terms was to have the only female ruler, out of the three, spend the night with Frozen Bone, Rinn courageously accepted knowing it was for the greater good of her people. After some time Frozen Bone horde left unexpectedly and swiftly, at the same time Rinn knew a child was on the way. Rinn was already set on loving her child even though he wouldn't be accepted by her tribe,but she didn't care and knew they wouldn't do anything to her or the child with everything she has done for them, her skills with a sword gave her more reason not to worry. Zaradur the half orc had a rough childhood because of kids being scared of him and adults ignoring him, not everyone was like that, but he can feel the death stares and hear the whispers by almost everyone when his back was turned. His mother was always there to make him smile, she taught Zaradur how to be more forgiven, how to protect himself, and overall how to be more human than orc in every way.  When Zaradur became an adult a plague hit the tribe his mother was one of he unfortunate ones, while on her death bed she handed him a sack full of supplies and told him to run away because she knew some of the tribesman will take this opportunity to kill him, the reminder of the Frozen Bone horde. She gave him a kiss on the forehead and tells him he's a wonderful son, but right after that a group of tribesman barge in swords in hands, Zaradur quickly knew he was outnumbered so he grabed the sack then smashed through the hut running away quickly to the forest. The tribesman give chase shooting their bows whenever they could, some hit Zaradur, but he still managed to lose them after some time. When he felt he was safe he imminently collapsed due to his exhaustion and injuries. I'm thinking this would be great for Sigrun to bump into Zaradur I hope this is a decent backstory hahaha 

Fantastic backstory, Patrick! Many great hooks for me to use. The more I hear from the y'all, the more I like the way things are coming together. Proceed!

That's an incredibly tough choice Mat. On one hand, Halflings and bards are so much fun. On the other, Elvalur's story sounds really intriguing. And I'm all for my warlock and Patrick's barbarian saving his ass. That way it could also be the warlock that runs into Zaradur at first rather than Sigrun, if you'd like, Patrick. Though she's likely a lot less help when it comes to the healing. Whatever works best for ya'll. I think I'm sticking with the warlock, Chuck. She's already sorta made herself home in my head. I also have a couple of ideas for the otherworldly patron myself. I can send you a private message about them if you want? I'm also fine with going with whatever you have in mind if it fits better into everything else. And I'm all for shrouding it in mystery for sure! But, would that mean my character wouldn't really know the source of her powers herself?

Sure, Aviana --PM me and let's figure it out!

I'm pretty flexible with Sigrun, so what ever Patrick thinks is best when it comes to who he encounters first I will go with! RJ, do you want to chat about Sigrun and Raynor's friendship/backstory? They've probably been adventuring together for at least a little while, so I'd love to flesh that out! Same goes for Elias and Helm!

Sigrun is clearly the "mama hen" of the group, which I think is fantastic and very much in character for her. The group dynamics seem to be coming together nicely!

I'm all for meeting Aviana's warlock first, we can always say she did her best treating my wounds. What kind of friendship should we have, maybe like a brother and sister relationship were they try to one up each other? Let me know what you think

So, I think I'll stay with Elvalur in this campaign. If you want a more detailed backstory to work with, please let me know. And fell free to add stuff too :)

Great! So, let's take a look at party comp: Fighter Barbarian Cleric Ranger Rogue Warlock I like it. I like it a lot. :)

I'm afraid her best would likely amount to being such a terrible nursemaid Zaradur would hurry up and get better just so he wouldn't have to endure any more of her care. I really like the idea of a brother and sister relationship and trying to one up each other :D They've such contrasting talents and at the same time they've the half human part in common too. My character certainly wouldn't have any problem viewing and treating Zaradur like a true brother. And since everyone else got such great backstories, I thought I'd offer a proper one of my own as well: The Aldwood Research Tower was a sanctuary of knowledge and learning. Headed by the renowned professor, Gregor Aldwood, it was separated from the normal hustle and bustle of town life and provided a tranquil place of study for all seekers of knowledge. It was here, among books and scrolls of parchment Naeris Aldwood, the professor's half elf daughter grew up. For all his knowledge, Gregor didn't know much about bringing up a child like Naeris and so she was more often than not left in the care of the vast library. Even so, Naeris adored her father. He was the only family she'd ever known. Her mother had left her there and while Gregor happily talked at length about history, religion and the arcane arts, he refused to talk about personal matters such as the elven woman, who had birthed Naeris. Safe within her quiet tower home, Naeris allowed herself to be carried away into the fantastical world of books. Tales of great heroes and brave adventurers who came together to defeat great evils were her favorite. She often dreamed of going off on such epic adventures herself. However, she never dreamed of the price she would have to pay for the chance to do so. All it took was one nightmarish night for her entire world to go up in flames. No one knew where they came from or why they came to the tower. Nor even what they were but some nameless horrors. The destruction they left behind was near complete. That next morning, Naeris alone emerged from the ruins of the tower. For all she had lost, the half elf came away mostly unscathed and with a new, mysterious power and a purpose. She had a great evil she needed to defeat and she knew just how to do it. But first, she needed a band of heroes. Sadly, finding such a group of outstanding people in real life wasn't at all so simple. After a long, grueling search, Naeris finally found her perfect answer. If she couldn't find herself a band of heroes, she would simply have to make one. Starting with the hideous man-thing she happened upon in the wilderness one day. Surely something so big, strong and ugly had nothing to fear. Lucky for her, he was as sturdy as he looked and managed to survive his injuries; with a little help. The two team up and eventually come upon an elven rogue in distress, whom they rescued from a band of thugs. Naturally, since he then owed his life to Naeris and her barbarian friend, he simply had no choice but to join their team. (That was surprisingly hard, but I suppose it'll do for now (ówò))

"hideous man-thing"  Oh nooo, poor Zaradur's heart! Hahaha

If it helps, Naires happens to think it's a good thing. 'Cause then she can use him to scare away unpleasant things xD