Welcome to the Lands of Arda
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Thirteen fragments, beings with vast power, originating from the Divine Realm, traveled to this newly found planet. These fragments, later known as the major gods, live in the Divine Realm together with other fragments. They called themselves fragments as they believe they all originated from one, all powerful being, that created all universes, but then split. The thirteen fragments were close like siblings and always did things together. The planet when it was found was barren, without life or magic, but it had potential. The one that was first to spot this new planet, named Arda, did not hesitate to detach herself from the Divine Realm and imbue with the planet to give it life and magic. That was seen as a great sacrifice by the other twelve, who knew that their sibling Arda would not be able to return until this planet is no more.
The twelve gods split into three groups, which were later known as Gold (Good), Silver (Evil) and Emerald (Neutral). The groups stayed the same, except from three changes. Dominaria switched from Gold to Silver, Iskar from Emerald to Gold and Oromne from Silver to Emerald. The exact dates of those changes are largely unknown but they are approximated at the end of 1st Era or the early centuries of the 2nd.
From that change and onwards no shifts have been reported. The groups are as following:
| Gold (Good) | Silver (Evil) | Emerald (Neutral) |
Besides the twelve major fragments, lesser fragments travelled to the world of Arda for various reasons. Other seeking to gain followers, other intrigued by events, other simply by curiosity, others banished from their previous worlds or other seeking refuge from forces that want them perished. These Lesser fragments are not as powerful as the twelve gods and cannot sustain themselves by feeding from multiple plains. They are also referred as "local gods" and such local communities or events is what feeds them. They full extent of their power varies, but many estimate them to be equally strong as the first dragons. Lesser fragments are not widely known, even though they'd wish to be. Even if they could be amassing a large amount of followers, they prefer to be more subtle, to not incur the wrath of major fragments for stealing their energy. Some of the Lesser Fragments work as Patrons, offer power to individuals known as warlocks, in exchange of tasks or worship.
Navigate to each category from the sidebar to the left
Backstory
Where did your character grow up? What place do they call "home" now? (could
be the same or different.) [75 words max]
Kes was born on Blackden, to a large family of Githyanki. The family is proud of their martial history and most are devout Izalith followers.
Kes’s current residence, if you could call it one, is the “Forest of Mist”. He does visit Shadebough Falls when he needs a bit of humanoid contact, but currently doesn’t have a true home, nor does he desire one.
Who raised your character and how? What are these people doing now? [75 words max]
Kes was raised by his father (Vr’a’ac) and his primary wife (J’a’sath). Kes’s birthmother (Jelru) was a concubine, one of many.
As far as Kes knows, the family continues on as usual, although Vr’a’ac may be getting on in years, and an ambitious heir may be looking to supplant him.
How did your attribute scores affect your character? [175 words max]
Vr’a’ac the Black, a somewhat renown pirate, took it to be his duty to raise the next generation of Githyanki by having as many wives and concubines as possible. He was determined that his legacy live beyond him, and raised his children for a live of strife and conquest, and to prepare for the Night of Schemes.
Kes was a quick (Dex 19), and intelligent (Int 16) child who excelled at both weapons practice and class work, but he was not well liked by his siblings (Cha 6), who were jealous of him.
As Kes grew into a young adult, the yearly Game of Schemes became more serious, and after his older brother “Ves” betrayed Kes and almost caused his death; Kes ran away from home and joined a pirate ship crew unaffiliated with the family.
Kes left behind a little sister (Trys’a’an), who he regrets leaving.
What made your character obtain the class they have now? [75 words max]
Eventually, making his way to a Shadebough Falls, Kes made the acquaintance of Arvastan the Druid and his apprentice Leokas. Arvastan introduced him to a hunter in the Forest of Mists (Caleb Villarreal).
Kes found that he greatly enjoys the life of a hunter, the quite stalking, and the open outdoors.
What your character doing in recent years before the campaign's start? [75 words max]
In the past few years, he has continued hunting the Forest of Mists, and started studying nature magic with Aravstan.
Recently after contracting SMS, he has occasionally been accompanying Leokas in the search for a cure.
What motivated your character to leave their previous lifestyle and become adventurers? [120 words max]
Kes one night overheard some of the senior crew plotting to hide some magical goods that were stolen from a recent conquest, and that they had apparently done such things before and where.
Kes wasn’t seen overhearing the conversation, but somehow folks have become suspicious. After barely surviving a provoked duel, Kes realized that his days aboard this ship were numbered, and he left without fanfare when given an opportunity.
Which people are important for your character? [75 words max]
While Kes feels somewhat betrayed by his family, he still holds respect for this Father.
Kes still cares for his younger sister Trys’a’an.
Kes is fond of his hunting mentor Caleb Villarreal.
Arvastan has started to teach Kes nature magic, but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.
Kes certainly wants to support Leokas in his search for cure to SMS.
What connections does your character have to the other player characters? [175 words max]
Recently, both Kes and his mentor Caleb have contracted SMS in the Forest of Mists. Kes will support Arvastan and Leokas in their search for a cure.
Name a promise you have made to another player character that you would never break. [75 words max]
Kes has promised to assist Leokas in the search for cure to SMS. Both for his own cure and that of his mentor Caleb, who is both older and human and thus there exists greater urgency.
If nothing happened, what short/long term goals does your character have? [75 words max]
Even without the spider apocalypse, Kes would have learned what he could being a hunter, and moved on. Growing up Githyanki, he has never expected a life free of conflict and turmoil, and only through increased aptitude could he achieve some measure of contentment and self-worth.
What makes your character a likeable adventurer that others would be willing to have to risk their lives for? [75 words max]
Kes doesn’t know it, but he is searching for a “family”. He has always wanted someplace to belong, but first his siblings betrayed him, and then he fell out with the pirate crew.
I suspect in the beginning, his ties with Leokas, and their mutual search for the cure to curse of the “Forest of Mists” will be the reason he is with the party, but if they can earn his trust and respect, Kes will certainly reciprocate.
What has your character done in the past, that they now deeply regret?[75 words max]
Kes regrets leaving his sister Trys’a’an behind when he left the family.
Are there any people that would wish harm to your character and why?[100 words max]
His old pirate crew would like Kes dead to insure their secret.
Some of his siblings may not care for how he left the family.
More optional plot hooks: [Choose one]
- I know information about an expensive famous item, that others want.
Pirate Treasure
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Backstory
Where did your character grow up? What place do they call "home" now? (could
be the same or different.) [75 words max]
I grew up in a nice part of the City of Hope with my parents who were well known tailors. I traveled to nearby villagers to gather materials and eventually decided to settle for a time in Hazelhide after I fell in love with its Forest of Many Colors. I continued to visit other nearby villages and stop by the City of Hope to give my parents interesting materials I found.
Who raised your character and how? What are these people doing now? [75 words max]
The two most important people in my life are my parents Rowan and Hazel, and I was friends with a dwarf my age named Domen who lived in the City of Hope and we would catch up on our lives whenever I visited. My parents would have been in the city still as far as I am aware, although Domen said he planned to leave to the East and start his own place in Greenview.
How did your attribute scores affect your character? [175 words max]
My high CHA helped me charm customers into buying things when I was a child in my parents shop, and continued to serve me well when I started making trips to villages to buy materials. I had many people that I was friendly with, although few I would actually call friends. I would need to look at my character sheet again for more.
What made your character obtain the class they have now? [75 words max]
I was immediately attacked after leaving the mansion and decided to lead the monsters into the forest to the west. I was able to escape most of them and killed the last one that was chasing me but I was mortally wounded in the process. As I was about to die a voice called to me to drink its blood if I wanted to see my family or friends again and I agreed.
What your character doing in recent years before the campaign's start? [75 words max]
I would spend my time exploring the Forest of Many Colors, and would make make a trip up to the City of Hope every half year, stopping by Greenview along the way. I would often sleep under the stars, although I could earn enough selling herbs and pelts to stay in the Inn in Hazelhide if I wished.
What motivated your character to leave their previous lifestyle and become adventurers? [120 words max]
I decided to explore The Forest of Many Colors as I had grown tired of the petty politics in The City of Hope, and wanted to be away from “civilization” for a while. For an elf who will live hundreds of years, spending 2-3 years away from the city isn’t that much in the grand scheme. My more recent misadventures have just been for survival in this new cruel world.
Which people are important for your character? [75 words max]
I may know Krystuahps, although I will have to confirm with him.
What connections does your character have to the other player characters? [175 words max]
Name a promise you have made to another player character that you would never break. [75 words max]
If nothing happened, what short/long term goals does your character have? [75 words max]
If the world were peaceful right now I would be searching for my parents. I always intended to take up the family business after I had found peace in the forest, and I’m deeply worried about what may have happened to them. I’ve always loved our family’s history of weaving magic into clothes and I hope to build on our legacy one day.
What makes your character a likeable adventurer that others would be willing to have to risk their lives for? [75 words max]
I’m always quick to bounce back from hardships, and I put myself between my allies and the enemy. Even at my coldest in Winter, I still am unfailingly polite to those near me, although I may be less warm to those who insult them. I do not tolerate mistreatment of those near me.
What has your character done in the past, that they now deeply regret?[75 words max]
I regret not learning my families magic when I had the chance. If I can't find my parents, then I fear our legacy will die forever.
Are there any people that would wish harm to your character and why?[100 words max]
None that I know of. The only enemies my family had were business rivals, and those remained civil.
More optional plot hooks: [Choose one]
I think I may have found traces of a treasure in the Forest of Many Colors, although I've never gone searching for it.
Backstory
Anders grew up in northern Aldion, near the border of Razorleaf. Now, home is wherever the coin leads him. Preferably a place with a clean bed, but you can't always be choosy
Anders' mother was a cobbler and raised him until her death when he was 15. His uncle worked as a local guard captain and trained Anders to defend himself from an early age. Following the death of his mother, Anders took found work on a merchant ship but found the money lacking. After mooring briefly in Blackden, he took work on a pirate ship and learned to defend himself further.
Anders was always nimble, and thus took to life on the sea naturally. His keen eye also proved itself useful on the open water, both to spy for land or hostile vessels. He's hearty and could sail any sea before him, but he's hopeless trying to navigate a social interaction
Sailors can't succumb to rage. You can't scare the sea, so you need your wits about you when she starts fighting you. The day a sailor loses his wits, is the day he becomes crabfeed.
Anders has been working as an information broker and hired muscle in Unified Caldor following his last expedition. His respect as a smuggler may be gone, but he won't crack under pressure, and he's good with a blade.
Anders' last voyage saw him break the cardinal rule of a smuggler: The cargo is not your business. Just get it to its destination in one piece. His last voyage found him smuggling a powerful item for a private party out of the Eratus Empire. Upon learning its power, however, Anders thought it best that no one possess it, and he buried it at sea. But his conscience cost him all credibility as a smuggler and made fresh enemies out of his buyer, as well as the individual he stole the item from.
Anders has found himself alone in recent years, having little more than general acquaintances and pleasantries with the shopkeeps and merchants of Owlreach. He's particularly fond of a local smith, Bennet Nevda, and his wife, a local tavern keeper named Mary. They took him in when he was forced to abandon his last ship and settle inland.
Anders has crossed paths with Night Kantly a handful of times in the past, though always in a professional capacity. He's never been able to get a read on the fellow, but they've never quarreled. Similarly, Aurgan Nalakina has helped Anders on a number of occasions that required more brawn than Anders could muster. Ava Shassi assisted Anders on his final voyage and ultimately helped Anders realize what it was he had in his possession and its power.
Anders spent a lot of time chatting with Aurgan during their various interactions on the docks, and after Anders lost his ship. He swore to Aurgan that if he ever managed to get himself another ship, he'd bring Aurgan along to show him more of the world that he had yet to see.
In a perfect world, Anders would return to the Eratus Empire, and travel the seas with Leina as he had intended.
Anders is a man you can trust. You may roll your eyes at him more than you actually speak to him, but his word is his bond.
Anders had a paramour in the Eratus Empire, Leina, who nearly saved him from himself and his last voyage. It was supposed to be a job that could fund the rest of their lives. But when Anders squandered the cargo, he squandered any chance of being able to keep Leina safe with him, and hasn't had the heart to see her since.
The wizard from the Eratus Empire who was in possession of the artifact Anders stole is likely still willing to pay a handsome sum for Anders' head, as is the buyer who never received their cargo.
More optional plot hooks: [I know information about an expensive famous item, that others want.]
Anders met a tragic death when he ventured away from his friends and got surrounded by horrible multi-legged creatures.