Your career as an adventurer is over. Yep, you've given up long treks through the wilderness, untold horrors in ancient tombs and temples and ale binges in seedy city bars. You have retired to the Grey Crossings-a quiet village that is no longer the bustling center of commerce and trade it once was. But your not the only one; the village was founded by people like yourself and retired adventurers still flock to the village to this day-
Welcome to The Grey Crossings-an experiment of sorts-think of this as the anti-D&D campaign. Standard fantasy fare applies-dwarves,elves,humans,orcs,halflings,half-things, and most other things welcome! The tone of this RP is light-no serious murder-stabby stuff please.
How to play:
In this RP, you take on the role of once-adventurers adjusting to rural life. Your in a position of authority in the village and can influence and shape it's development and destiny. If you would like to play please post a character in the OOC using standard fantasy tropes. Wizards use Vancian Magic. Don't worry-were not using stats. For the most part major decisions in the development of the town/story will be chosen Democratically. It's your RP after all. This is a casual game-so no long winded character bios/backstory and rp posts.
Name: Race: Age: Job: Class: Short History: Quirks: Skills: Possessions: Hobbies: Please put any images in 'hider' tags. Anime images discouraged.
Town Info
The Grey Crossings is a diverse community, owing to its heritage as a haven for adventurers. The citizens are varied, and keep no qualms about a persons past-many of the citizens have a history the would like the world to forget. The village was once prosperous-when the trade roads carried goods and journeyman workers to the nearby kingdoms. But a few wars and increasing drought, famine and dragon raids have set the kingdoms at a low point in their history.
Post reserved! Also, no CS? Well, I'll make my own than.
Name: Malakaus Ralthavar Marcosias
Race: Orc
Age: 44
Job: Forester/Miner. He's the overseer of The Grey Crossing's iron mine and smelter.
Class: Fighter/Barbarian (Though he prefers the term "Berzerker" over Barbarian, and will quickly go into a rage if you make the mistake intentionally)
Short Story: Malakaus, like many orcs, got into the adventuring business initially for the adventure and glory. Handy with just about any weapon he could get his hands on, save for those exotic stuff, he joined up with lots of parties and hewed his way through many foes. Of course, he was unique in that he grew old enough to get tired of the whole "Raid dungeons and camps for loot" shtick, and wasn't dead. He retired from the adventuring life when his love, an elven cleric, sacrificed her life to save not only him but their child, who she was with at the time. She had to use a Miracle to extract from her body before she perished. Eventually he arrived to The Grey Crossings to raise his daughter in relative peace.
Notable Quirks: Malakaus can be a rather stern and stubborn orc. He has all the traits of a father who doesn't allow their children to do anything fun. But that's mostly just a safeguard he puts up to dissuaded any thug who thinks they can have their way with his daughter. Those who are friends with him or his daughter would know he can be rather dotting to the point of embarrassment. And unlike most orcs he has a sort of cunning intellect that, while not enough to make him into a wizard, could certainly show he's smarter than he looks.
Skills: While Malakaus is obviously handy in a fight, nowadays he turns to more mundane utility skills. He's a fairly tough guy and can handle hard work, so when it's time to cut down trees or go deep underground Malakaus often takes the lead so he can suffer whatever danger comes before the others do. He has a nose for metal and gems too, and likes to think that he can beat any dwarf when it comes to prospecting. Malakaus has also taken time back when he was training as a fighter in engineering and smithing, hence why and how he managed to open up a wood mill and smelter in the village.
Possessions: Aside from his old adventuring gear and trophies, one of the most common objects Malakaus carries around is his unique Pick-Axe: It's part woodcutting axe part mining pick. Made from adamantine there's little that he can't cut with it, handy when he needs to clear out some trees or prospect ore. He also owns a wood mill a bit away from the village, next to a river. He also part owes an iron mine, though he's simply the overseer there, and it belongs to the village proper.
Hobbies: Greatly enjoys taking hot baths and frequently heads over to the village's hot springs after a day of hard work. Also pretty mean with a fiddle and occasionally does a show with his daughter. When he's not repairing tools for others he also uses his smithing skills to create fine pieces of jewelry with the metals and gems he finds while mining. He never bothers to sell them however despite their craftsmanship, and typically gives them to his daughter or friends.
Name: Sheolred Marcosias
Race: Half-Elf (And technically Half-Orc, but she takes mainly after her mother)
Age: 16
Job: Freelancer. She can often be found in The Grey Crossing's tavern helping out if she isn't helping someone else in the village.
Class: Bard (Though she aspires to learn more magic)
Short Story: Sheolred was only a babe when her mother sacrificed her life to save not only her daughter, but Malakaus, Sheolred's father. Since then her father had retired and moved to The Grey Crossing, where Sheolred grew up. At a young age she always had an interest in magic which Malakaus chalks up to her mother's similar upbringing for her magical talents. However Malakaus had very little desire to let his little girl leave the village to find some magical college, and unless she can discover her own innate magical abilities the best she could do was learn parlor tricks from the other mages in the village. Which was fine with her, as Sheolred also had a knack for theatrics and found magic in performances as well. Sheolred lives a largely carefree life, but as she grows older she desires a more solidify purpose in her life. Something that would give her reason to drive herself forward.
Notable Quirks: A lot of people think Sheolred is an air head, and they wouldn't be too wrong. She's certainly ditsy enough to be mistake as a foolish girl. But she's much more perspective than people would give her credit for, capable of seeing through lies and deception and having a good empathy. She can be rather optimistic and cheerful, especially in the face of bleak times. She'd almost be inspirational if she could keep her focus. Likes animals.
Skills: Sheolred can be quite a performer, doing feats of acrobatics and dexterity that would impress even the most seasoned of tumblers. She's quite capable of mimicking the movements of others like she would do with dances, and could very well do the same with a sword technique if she had the mind to do so. She's also a sharp sleuth and capable of seeing and considering things that could slip past others, usually anyways. Aside from that Sheolred can be rather knowledgeable in various subjects, though she mostly uses this knowledge to be mildly useful for whatever odd job she finds herself doing.
Possessions: Malakaus trained Sheolred how to use simple weapons with a decent amount of proficiency, including a few other weapons, though Sheolred's "Signature Weapon" would always be her ribbon whip. It simply looks like a a vibrant red ribbon attached to a leather handle, but you'd be surprised with the amount of chaos Sheolred can cause with this twenty-foot long piece of cloth. It's much more durable than it's delicate appearance would imply as it's enchanted with magic, and in Sheolred's skillful and dexterous hands she can use it for everything from forming complicated patterns to swiping the coins out of someone's pocket. She also carries a dagger at her father's behest, not really unique beyond her ability to throw it with deadly accuracy. Sheolred also owns a dire boar as a pet and mount. His name is Oinky. She nursed since it was a baby after her father had killed it's mother during a hunt, and she has since than been protecting the creature from anyone who'd think to make a meal from it. Her father also spoils her with various jewelery made of various metals from the mind, from iron bangles to gold amulets with diamonds. Sheolred, in her pursuit of magic, has tried to enchant some of these with mixed results.
Hobbies: Sheolred often offers her services to anyone in the village in need of an extra hand. If she isn't doing that however, she can often be found at the village library doing research on magic or just reading stories, or practicing a new routine somewhere in the village. She may also be taking Oinky out for a walk in the forest whilst looking for mushrooms to eat. She does have a bit of a mischievous hobby of sneaking into people's homes and helping herself to a bit of cat burglary. She usually doesn't steal anything, doing it only to hone her agility and stealth though she also greatly enjoys the innate danger of being discovered during her escapades. Obviously a secret to everyone.
Just scanned your character app and it looks good-let's go with that CS. Interested to know more about Malakaus' wife, (how an elf and an orc got together?) Also could you do me a favor and put your character images in 'hiders' ?
Hunger makes a thief of any man. Name: Errol Bronski Race: Human Age: 34 Job: Former thief/Locksmith (Ironic I know) Class: Rogue Short History: Errol was born in a bustling industrially advanced city that was oriented more towards advancement and the textile industry than it was towards farming. Errol was born into child labour, the poverty rates of the city were at an all-time high and Errol had to go to work at the young age of just six. He worked there for about two years before he left after an accident that left him without the tip of his right index finger. He didn't exactly know what he was going to do, he couldn't just tell his parents he had left or otherwise he would get 'skelped' as he so puts it. He began to steal and con his way around the city to gain gold. At first it was tricky, he was constantly being caught and only his quick speed got him out of being arrested. He soon began picking up on techniques and skills that helped him to become a greater thief.
Errol left home at the young age of 16 to become a 'master-thief'. He began travelling around the continent, thieving and stealing from richer and richer households and targets until he had amassed enough money to call himself an aristocrat. All he would need was a posh accent and a powdered wig and the facade would be complete. But to Errol, thieving was more than just a source of income. It was a lifestyle, one of the only things he was great at in his life. He wasn't much for fighting, sure he could swing a sword here and there, but if he was up against anything remotely difficult he'd probably just run and hope for the best. He did begin to ease up on the thieving though and began to think about other job options. He finally settled on the idea of a locksmith, he knew far too much about locks to let that knowledge go to waste and he soon invested in buying property in the Grey Crossings. He made sure his locks were high quality to ensure that more than just the townspeople of Grey Crossings would come and buy from him. Couldn't stay in the green with farmers wages anyway, had to attract some nobles who wanted new locks for their doors which had just 'happened' to be broken into. He still resorts to his old conning tricks though every now and then, after all, can't beat the feeling of flogging a faulty ornament to some stupid noble every now and then. Quirks: -Keeps a pack of cards on him that he will shuffle sometimes as a nervous habit -Has a tendency to speak far too quickly at times Skills: -Years of thievery have allowed Errol to become what he calls a 'master thief' -Knowledge of locks -Lockmaking -Has a killer poker face -Isn't bad at cards Possessions: -Various lockpicks -A Sabre -Pack of cards -'Dosh' Hobbies: -Gambling -Poker -Cards -Bantering -Singing, although he is awful at it
Job: Blacksmith by day, Constable by night. Owns a blacksmiths at the edge of town employing 3 Apprentices, makes them do the night watch with him.
Class: Rogue, efficient with a his rapier, though he has put his adventuring behind him and settled down in the Grey Crossings.
Short History: Vis was born to an Elf and a Human, father and mother respectively. From a young age his father engaged him with sword play and survivalism, setting him on the path to becoming an adventurer. By 14 he was pestering his parents to let him leave home, to have his own adventures as his father had but they would not yield; his mother too concerned and his father still in the process of training the young boy. When he became 17 and had shed the awkwardness of adolescence, his father had given him an Iron Rapier and gave Vis his blessings to go and adventure but only if he'd write once a month, as his literacy skills were weak, so Vis accepted these terms and left home. After numerous accidents and near fatal run ins with bandits and other unsavory characters, Vis decided it would be best to settle down but his adventures had lead him far from home and too tired to get back. So he settled in Grey Crossings and set up a blacksmithing business, marrying the sickly daughter of a wool trader and living his life happily, well as close to it as he could get.
Appearance: Vis stands at 6ft 4 inches tall and weighs 170ibs, his figure would be classed as lanky though he has enough muscle mass to avoid that (but not enough to be called muscular), his skin is pale bit not too pale, it is comparable to milk. He has snow white, pigmentless hair, courtesy of his father, which he generally has slicked back, the color of his right eye is a deep, electric blue, his left eye is a bright green (this one is blind as it was struck with a curse). He has a slim head with rounded features, not the sharp features of his elven father, though he does have the elven ears even though the left one is in tatters, hanging limpy to the side. On the lower left side of his face he is missing the skin and flesh of his jaw and lower cheek, exposing his gums and teeth, this occured from the same accident as the one that ruined his ear, a cross bolt that narrowly missed destroying his life, he covers up the facial scar with a black scarf. When he is not traveling or not engaged in anything that could end his life, he wears a white puffy shirt, with long sleeves and buttons down the front, as for legs he wears grey trousers and a pair of black leather boots, the scarf around his face doesn't go unless he's in private. When he is traveling however he does wear armor, a set of grey leather armor with azure highlights in the place of tassels and the odd leather plate, the armor has a fur neckline and full segmented leather arms and legs. He always has his sword by his side.
Quirks: Speaks with a lisp, has a glowing green eye, always wears a scarf around his face to cover his scar.
Skills: As a blacksmith, you'd hope he is proficient with working metal and he is, his father was strangely enough a blacksmith though not because smithing is strange, but because he was a forest elf. His father began teaching the trade early on, by the time he was 8 he could make farm tools and by the time he was 12 he could make fine swords and armor. However hammering and quenching iron is not all he does, he is also an alloy smith, mixing metals in careful measurements to make fine metals. He also works with gold and silver well, making rings and other pieces of jewelry, though he doesn't work with gems, as he doesn't believe that mortals are worthy to adorn them selves with them.
Possessions: - The simple iron rapier his father gave him when he left home to adventure. - A thin chain around his neck with two basic silver rings, one his and the other his -recently- deceased wife's. - The black scarf he wears around his neck and face to cover his scaring.
Hobbies: Making cloak work bits and bobs, as his smithing skills became better his works started to become more detailed and intricate, with more and more smaller designs and bits that were thought to be impossible with metal. One day someone approached him and asked him if he'd ever considered clockworking, at that point he never had and he went straight into it, using his incredibly weak reading skills and superb math skills to learn and engineer little, yet amazing trinkets. He carried this hobbie with him through his adventuring but decided to delve deeper into it when he settled down. He uses these skills to make toys, music boxes and to repair clocks.
Name: Nanuni Locked-N-Loaded (She chose that name herself)
Race: Gnome
Age: 166
Job: School Teacher (Basic Math and Reading)
Class: Rogue "Alchemist" (She prefers to be known as an Alchemist)
Short History: Nanuni had adventuring in her blood and was born into a family of thrill seekers. Her mother and father were never formally married in conventional or gnomish culture, but they loved her dearly and taught her their ways. She spent much of her childhood and young life (Since most gnomes aren't considered adults till they're at least 40 or so, young life means anywhere between 10-30) with either her mother of father. She picked up her father's skill with a crossbow and learned how to be a quick shooter by the time she could afford her own. Her mother was a roguish type but from her Nanuni found her interest in Alchemy. While she never really took courses in Alchemy until much later into her life, long after Nanuni decided to adventure on her own, her time with her mother instilled the desire within her. Nanuni adventured for a coupled odd years, occasionally settling down on a whim to open a business or somesuch. She currently is doing that in the present, settling down in The Grey Crossing as a break from the high-flying adventures she had been going on during the past twenty years.
Quirks: Nanuni certainly likes to play up her childish appearance with a cutesy voice and attitude. She's very protective of the other kids however, and while she won't hesitate to put them back in line she won't tolerate others being mean to them. Nanuni can be very whimsical which can sometimes be a bit chaotic: Sometimes she might offer charity because the mood strikes her or she might play a prank on you because she'd find it hilarious. Usually it's not too serious unless she really doesn't like you. Than you're in for a world of hurt.
Skills: Nanuni is really good at taking care of children, and is likely one of the best teachers The Grey Crossing as seen given that the kids are actually learning from her. Her alchemist knowledge has also helped her make medicine and supplies for the village when she's needed, from making a pill for your stomach ache of machine oil for your clockwork contraption. Her knowledge with magic is pretty decent too, sort of something she picked up while increasing her alchemy skill. She's pretty good about figuring people out thanks to her time with the children, skittish and sneaky little tykes. And of course Nanuni is still quick to the draw; she could shoot the wings off a fly fifty feet away behind her if she had some cause to harm a fly. She rarely takes her crossbow out these days, but she keeps it clean and ready for whatever.
Possessions: One of the most iconic items on Nanuni is her heavy repeating crossbow. She had customized it extensively to even be able to lob her alchemical concoction a greater distance than she could throw, and has an assortment of cranks and gadgets to give her an edge in any situation. Along with a wide variety of different crossbow bolts there's very little that Nanuni isn't prepared for. Other possession include her teacher's bag where she has her books for the school and where she usually stores her lunch. She also keeps a stuffed toy rock, a gift from mother. It's magically enchanted to produce light or darkness when it's squeezed, but only when the person doing the squeezing wants it to.
Hobbies: Nanuni can often be found playing with the same kids she teaches. When she isn't teaching kids she's likely drinking the local tavern into poverty as she has quite an appetite for ale. She can also be seen tinkering with her crossbow at her home, usually on rainy days since she likes being outside. Collects insects as well.
Name: Ashar Galix Age: 30 Race: Human Job: Village guard captain Class: Warrior Short History: Before even being an adventurer Ashar was a general in a kingdom named Rondorio, she got famous due to her skill with the sword, many used to say "Among warriors, Ashar. Among horses, Red hare (her horse)". Ashar got married at the age of 20 and had two children. However 3 enemy kingdoms attacked Rondorio at the same time, Ashar did her best but the war was lost from the beginning, Rondorio was completely destroyed and Ashar's family killed. With a huge pain and without a place to call home she wandered around the world until she decided to stay in The Gray Crossing
Quirks: She acts as a mother for everyone in the village despite their age, wont hesitate to scold you no matter who you are, even if you are a king Skills: -sword master -great horse rider -awesome cook. Possessions: sword and shield. -red hare. -daughter's collar. Hobbies: cooking, fishing, sewing
Short History: Riffin was born to a human mother and elf father, with his twin brother Arthur. It had turned out that only on of them, Riffin, had inherited any elf traits. Their father soon ran off when they were only a few months old, and their mother had to resort to stealing and other dangerous activities to survive. She continued to live a dangerous life, so at the age of 14, Riffin and Arthur ran away to be safer, and Riffin practiced archery, and eventually became a hired assassin, whilst Arthur became a mage, and would do work that was avaliable. Recently, they both settled down in Grey Crossings, as they both want to lead normal lives.
Quirks: Teases his brother about how he is a half-elf. Quite quiet around everyone else, but that's only because he prefers the quiet.
Skills: Very good at archery, stealth, and good with a knife.
Possessions: Riffin has his bow that he uses to hunt with, and also has many arrows that go with it. Also for hunting, he has a dagger for when he wants to get close to his target.
Hobbies: Archery, hunting
Name: Arthur Wayard
Race: Human
Age: 27
Job: Village guard
Class: Mage
Short History: Arthur was born to a human mother and elf father, with his twin brother Arthur. It had turned out that only on of them, Riffin, had inherited any elf traits. Their father soon ran off when they were only a few months old, and their mother had to resort to stealing and other dangerous activities to survive. She continued to live a dangerous life, so at the age of 14, Riffin and Arthur ran away to be safer, and Riffin practiced archery, and eventually became a hired assassin, whilst Arthur became a mage, and would do work that was avaliable. Recently, they both settled down in Grey Crossings, as they both want to lead normal lives.
Quirks: Arthur always wanted to be better at something than his brother Riffin, which is why he practises magic. He constantly reminds his brother of the fact that he is better.
Skills: Better than average at hand to hand combat, but not amazing. Good at magic, which he uses to protect the town from threats such as thieves.
Possessions: Arthur has a staff that he uses for magic, and also has a book on magic. He uses these to perform magic, and also to get better at it.
@Ryonara Hi! Thanks for taking an interest. I'm gonna have to say no to a gunslinger just because it's outside of the genre of fantasy I'm going for. Please check out the Base Classes at the D20srd if you need an idea of what I'm thinking.
If your accepted go ahead and post your characters to the character tab. Meanwhile-start building your OOC character relationships. You all live in the same town so you probably know each other. I'm sure Malakaus and Vis Starkweather have a shared history-one being a miner and the other a blacksmith? What else can we work up for backstory?
