This thread will be for creating your shared backstory.  And I already have your first assignment!  Without providing any mechanical information about your characters (no classes, no archetypes), I want all of you to come up with the name your party used to travel under at the height of their adventuring days.  Go!

Acanthya Starblade and Friends!

Ulfrid and His Merry Men

How about something nice and vague, like "The Righteous Fellowship"

The Meddling Gits.
Moe, Larry, and Iceman.
The Sexy Six.
Hootie and the Blowfish.

The Band of the Lion.
The Free Company.
Order of the Valiant.
The Shield of Many.
The Stouthearts.
The Oathbound.
The Grand Fellowship.

And I have so many more!

It's funny that you both went for your names and the group that 'followed' you, because that's essentially what Crea had as her backstory in the performing troupe before joining with you guys, lol

obligatory:
Crea Crimson and peanut gallery!

I like a vague title as well, I'm assuming we were predominantly lawful good then?

I'll throw out my suggestion as well: The Majestic Iustitia

Iustitia is latin for righteousness (i just looked it up lol)

And since there are 6 of us, we may have been commonly referred to~ MI6

lol *runs out the room*

Wyld Stallyns!

The Supremacy
The Fellowship of Sword and Spell
The Hallowed
The Salvation of Hope
The Quester's Truth
Salvation's Light
The Twilight Guardians
The Knights of the Golden Spear (We'd need to have a golden spear though so we wouldn't be liars)


I too could go on and on...:-)

The Company of Silver ( we could all own something silver it can also denote or older years lol)
The Order of Twilight
Fellowship of Hope

But ultimately I am really happy with what ever name we choose.

I like that one, though I think The Silver Company has a more aesthetically pleasing sound...:-)

I agree, I like that as well The Silver Company.

Hmmmmmmm...I'd like to toss out my own egotistical suggestion, but I kind of liked Hootie and the Blowfish!  In less exciting, but possibly more useful names:

The Brotherhood of Steel
The Souls of Valor
The Hand of Justice (suck it, Vecna!)
The Legendary Slayers (because what are the odds all of us don't have something impressive slain in our backgrounds?)
The Hope of (insert kingdom name here)
The Heroes of 9insert famous battle here)

I could get behind the Silver Company!

My vote is for silver company

I vote for The Silver Company too!

Sounds like The Silver Company is our winner!

I'm all for it too ^^

Congratulations to The Silver Company for completing your first task!  Second: to share your stories with each other!  You don't have to give every detail of your lives, but give everyone an idea of what they'd know (for instance, you can say your class, but where it wouldn't be easily evident to others, right now is not the time to share archetypes).  Trading mechanics details can be done over in OOC chatter if you'd like.

Artiaglith is elven, she came from an area that was farmland and like the Folk Hero she is when the group finally decided to retire, she returned to that life as well. She is most well noted for being the consistent enemy of the Lich Restavonith whom she's destroyed no less than twice, but his phylactery is so well hidden he keeps turning up like a bad penny, she is known for being favored by the fey.  A level and compassionate headed woman, who doesn't believe in hiding behind falseness, she is a do gooder, if someone needs help she is there, not just in the means of combat, but if crops are bad she shares what she has, if someone losses someone she is the first person there to loan a shoulder and comfort them.

She got married fairly early on,her husband an assamir and has two children of her own. One whom is destined to make some nobleman's life very miserable if he crosses her and a son who is no doubt going to be a mage.

Initially a bit of an airhead when The Silver Company banded together as its resident songstress and entertainer extraordinaire, Crea was all about participating in exciting and unique adventures. Once part of the Crimson Sister Troupe, she preferred the Silver Company mainly because she was framed and kicked out of the troupe, finding that not having a band of similar professions made it easier to shine with her talents!

A half elf touched by fey when she was a baby, Crea has a knack for being quite whimsical and captivating. Though after the trials and tribulations of the Silver Company, her 'airheadedness' had focused itself into a fierce and brilliant show-womanship to bring out the best emotions of her audience.

Crea still loves being impulsive and can't help her weakness to trinkets and fine garbs. Always a sucker for a moving story, she imbues others with her own emotions to act in their best interest.

She's much too easy to get along, sometimes a detriment to the party when interacting with strangers, she's always curious with what her party members are doing or thinking, and she always attempts to better a situation initially and may or may not follow through to the end.

Acanthya is a half elf. She is a diplomat first, warrior second, and magic-user third. She prefers to rely on her strength of steel when her silvered tongue cannot get the job done. Her spell-casting is used mostly to augment her own battle prowess. She is a very calm and rational individual with the occasional bout of melancholy.

Upon retiring she returned to her former job of teaching and married another member of The Silver Company named Kadrian. He was one of the older original members and for twenty or so odd years she lived in married bliss whilst teaching school in the quaint town they retired too. Unfortunately, time caught up with Kadrian and he died peacefully at the ripe old age of 82. They never had any children together, a regret that Acanthya still mourns to this day.

Most people would take Uthal for a fighter or a ranger at first, partially because when they think of Goliaths, those are a more natural idea, and partially because what else does one think of a moderately-armed, heavily-armored man?  Of course, the rest of the Silver Company has had plenty of chances to see him hurling blasts of Arcane power, and he's been willing to mention a few words about a deal he made when he was young and starting out in the world.

Towards the beginning of the Company's adventures, he was quite frankly damn near insufferable; arrogant, headstrong, and apparently carrying a chip on his shoulder against the world.  At least a few of the Company's adventures were probably started by Uthal not knowing when to let sleeping dogs lie somewhere or other.  Over time, he mellowed out into a more thoughtful, responsible teammate...until ,later in his career, driven by the need to surprass the Company's own reputation ,he reverted to his old ways.  Some the Company may have still been around when he drew from a Deck of Many Things and was sucked into another dimension until recently.

Uthal nuuuu, don't you know those things are scary.

Well if someone had told me that a couple of decades ago....ok, I probably still wouldn't have listened, but still!

Lol would this had happened awhile around the party? I'm thinking someone might have just watched it happen not knowing the baddies in the deck and just been horrified to watch the deck box fall to the ground with Uthal blinked away.

I agree that would have been terrifying for Arti too.

I'd written it as being towards the end of the party's adventures together before retirement, so I imagine some, if not all of them were there!  Hopefully someone remembered to grab a few of Uthal's items for him!  Equally hopeful: time spent floating in an interdimensional void has reminded him to calm the hell down!

Actually, I love playing with a Deck of Many Things. My characters don't, but I do...:-D
It's always fun to see if weal or woe befalls you!

Oh I made an advanced deck of many things back in 2nd edition, and my players both loved and hated it. The Poor PCs. XD I am all for fun mistakes, but Arti would be just 0.0 lol

Uthal didn't have much reaction, what with being sucked into a dimensional void and all.  But I'd like to think his last thought before vanishing was "well fuc--"

Pretty sure I would have shared that sentiment...lol

Markus has probably shared most of this, so I will just share his full backstory:

Markus Stern is a man who has been redeemed from a dark past. The heroics of his later years has made up for the follies of his youth, though he is too proud to admit it.

His father was a professional executioner, as had their entire line for as far back as family memory served. It was a grim family tradition, but one in which the Stern's took great pride. But fate saw to it that Markus' father met a wonderful woman that eventually became his mother. She was of the minor nobility, and that she would deign to be courted by a commoner, let alone one with such a bloody duty, caused no small amount of scandal in her social circle. But fall in love she did. She became the roots that stopped the Stern family wandering. Markus was born in a proper city, and instead of being a freelance executioner, his father became an official municipal judicial executioner. Despite this change in status, his father still imparted the family business skills onto Markus. His father always believed Markus would follow in his footsteps. However, Markus' mother saw a whole world of potential in her son. She was an accomplished scholar, and taught her son all manner of esoteric knowledge on top of an impressive base education.

For a time, life was good.

But when Markus was sixteen winters old, and just starting to contemplate his life path, the machinations of nobility destroyed his idyllic life. Marku's father had carried out the sentence for a young noble who had been caught dueling illegally. His brothers, drunk on wine and vengeance, set fire to their dwelling in the middle of one dark winter night. Only Markus survived.

Consumed with the need for vengeance, but bound to iron clad ideals instilled by his father, Markus went about his retribution in a much more deliberate and clever fashion. He brought his parent's killers to court, and actually managed to win the case. Predictably, the young nobles fled the city before the verdict could be rendered. As is par for the course, the court issued a bounty for their return.

Thus given an excuse for legal death-dealing, Markus tracked down his parent's killers, and took their heads. He returned to his city with his bloody trophies, and not only wasn't he punished for such action, he was rewarded with gold. With no other prospects, and with all the gruesome skills taught him by his father, Markus took to the life of a bounty hunter.

For seven long years, he used his superior intellect and family trade to hunt all manner of criminals. And though ostensibly it was for righteous justice, coin and blood were all that stirred his heart. His was a cold life, but he was so good at it nothing could persuade him from his dark path. He didn't care who he caught, or why. And unless the bounty specifically called for living marks, he always brought corpses. He eventually moved out from the drunkards and cut-purses of the poorer districts to richer bounties. If there were calls for Orc scalps, or the hide of a rampaging Troll, he would go forth and hunt these foes. Not for any sense of altruism, but for the coins that would fill his coffers.

Life probably would have continued that way, had he not met his future companions. It took a long time, and more adventures than he could count, but their genuine good will and acts of selfless heroics broke through his cold exterior. He started seeing the value of genuine friendships, and he started feeling the need to do the right thing for it's own sake. And finally, he learned in his heart, selflessness. As more than once during their grand adventures was he willing to lay down his life for something other than simple gold. He had found his heart again. He had found a new family.

When their heroics could not longer be easily counted, and all the great evils of their time were vanquished, it was time for him to finally live his life. But all he knew were brutal skills, and oddly specific academics. For a few years he tried to be an honest constable. But he was too independent for the life of rules and regulations of normal lawmen. He tried founding a mercenary company in order to lead a group of men in agendas that he desired. But he was no leader of men, and the venture barely lasted two years. Without many options, Markus fell back into bounty hunting for a while. But that all changed when he met the woman who would eventually become his wife. Liane Gerster was, and is, an apothecary of tremendous skill, and an infinitely gentle soul. He joy and kind spirit called to his still healing soul. It took some time for him to propose to her, but she had fallen for him and turn. They married, settled down in the big city, and have two beautiful daughters together.

Serafina is eight, Catrin is four, and they are the light of Markus' life. He would kill for them. He would die for them. And he would be fine with either option. Not wanting to leave his family for months on end as a bounty hunter, Markus put his keen mind to other use. With his skill at managing his own finances, Markus decide to become a money lender. He had enough gold to start his venture, and the reputation to warn off those who would try to take advantage of him. It is a lucrative business that he uses to provide for his children. And every once and a while he has to track down those that won't repay his loans, which keeps his old skills sharp.

So if he is ever called back to action, he will not be found wanting...

Ulfrid is a half-orc from the tundras far to the north. His tribe was destroyed and he was driven into exile when a dragon moved into the region. He took work as a hired sword to survive, and eventually the fact that the work he took usually involved looking out for the weak and hunting monsters led him to the other members of the Silver Company. Out of combat, Ulfrid is friendly and personable--far more than one would expect for a half-orc. He jokes and laughs, and often smiles. However, all members of the Company learned quickly to steer clear of him in battle, when he sees red and lets loose a fury buried within. You've probably see him scythe through a a group of ogres in seconds, or practically rip a troll apart with his bare hands. It might still be shocking to see Ulfrid go from mild-mannered and gentle to a uncontrolled killing machine in just seconds, but no one can doubt his results.

You'd always known that Ulfrid had his sights set on killing the dragon that drove him from his homeland, and after the Silver Company disbanded and its members went into retirement, he set out to do just that. When you didn't hear anything for a few years, you might have assumed the worst, but eventually rumors started trickling south--rumors that a great dragon in the north had been slain, and that a new tribe of both humans and orcs led by a half-orc named "Dragoncleaver" now occupied the tundra. All of you eventually learned the full story--Ulfrid had, in fact, killed the dragon, and he had also raised a tribe out of the humans and orcs who were made refugees by the dragon at the same time he was. He would extend a warm invitation to all members of the company to stay with him and his tribe if they ever wanted to take a break from the civilized world.

THe time has come, oh ye poor and wretched few, for the hard part: interpersonal relationships!  Who were the best of friends?  Who feuded?  Who was always that one uncvle you love, but god, he always embarrasses you when he comes to visit?  Make connections unto yourselves.

I'm sorry, but I'm a dark, brooding edgelord who lives in the shadows and knows only pain!

I'm not quite sure how Uthal would've interacted yet.  I don't think he'd quite hit a rivalry level with Markus, Ulfrid, or possibly Acanthya, but being among the more martial in the group, he'd definitely use them as points of comparison for whether he'd been holding up his end for the group.  He'd probably be some level of supportive towards Crea and Artiaglith, but not quite sure of how to help them ensure they're living up to their potential.

I am thinking Artia was definitely the sort of mom of the group. She would patch up boo-boos and give advice. She didn't beat it over anyone's head it was there to be taken if it was needed. Though she would be the one who screamed not to that about the deck o' many things. Than standing in shock when it ate him up. >.<

Arti married an aasamir named Cole who while a rogue carried himself in a pious and compassionate nature. He was likely a member of the group. I doubt she would have taken the time to meet anyone outside of the group. Since in many way's the little group is her family.

As I mentioned Acanthya and she might have settled down near each other ? Which helps with Arti making Acanthya the God Mother of both of her children. Cotton & Thistle.

Information on her kids is as followed.


Thistle- Her oldest child is a girl, Thistle who is of marrying age now and looking. She and her mother don't always see eye to eye because she longs for the better things in life she wants gold and fancy things not a life living in a cottage with animals and plants as her parents seem fit to be content with. Thistle is very pretty but still very naive to the world.

Cotton- Cotton is their youngest son, he is of age to apprentice himself (13) to someone and he has shown interest in leather working and tanning and curing hides. He is a quiet boy much like his father, and excited by small things. He is a happy go luck child.

I feel like Cotton might have wanted to be taught magic. If so he is a novice and maybe could have spent more time with Acanthya as bittersweet as it might be.

I think she likely is protective of Ulfrid because of how people sometimes look at half-orcs, she would feel like scolding people for looks.

As far as Uthal worrying about them living up to their potential, I am not sure what you mean. She takes care of her family, she provides guidance and healing. She is also very active when dealing with others, because anyone who needs her help only has to ask. She is very much selfless.

I have a feeling she and Crea have both gotten the group into trouble. Crea because she said that she tends to be friendly to everyone. And Arti is more than happy to give her time and abilities to help. However, she's not to naive and is more than capable of using wit, magic or blade when someone deserves it.

As far as Marcus goes she likely set up and chatted with him, attempting to help him find his center, and compassion.

I don't know if we're allowed to talk about mechanics yet, but Crea does know Orc as a language. So maybe there's an option of having built a rapport and close friendship between the orcs? I imagine Crea to have been quite incessant on hanging out and prying into their lives at the start, and while annoying and irritating it may have been at first, she may have chipped away at their cold shields and have a bit of a soft spot for her? Or not~ lol

I think based on assumptions, Crea may be the youngest of the group. So maybe there is someone that treats her like a younger sister which she'd be all about.

Lastly although Crea sounds a bit naive or gossipy, I imagine her to have been one of the 'faces' of the group in interactions that have led to dozens of good and bad outcomes like an unofficial leader, she plays up being the 'front woman'.

She likes to show off when she can, but is always impressed with Acanthya and Artigalith's ability to be calm or helpful and thoughtful, learning by their examples when she sees fit. She likes how the orcs can be quite vulgar and sees a soft side in Markus and pretends to have it as a secret.

EDIT:
Oh oops, i dunno why I thought Uthal was an orc.. clearly not~ In any case, Crea would still be prying into Uthal's life!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Sun 05 Aug 2018.

Uthal's a little stereotypical in his outlook on the world.  You can take the Goliath off the mountaintop, but...

It's more that Uthal wants all of his companions to be their best.  With the more martial ones. that's simple.  It easy to gauge a warrior's skill.  Hell, Uthal even has some inkling on the arcane from his own abilities, even though he tends to fall back on them rather than use them early.  But for anyone else?  He's not sure of how to help them be their best selves.  And he'd have no idea that Artia married and settled down, though he'd probably just 9semi) jokingly ask if she was being the best wife and mother, and approve accordingly.

Crea can absolutely be the little sister. ^^
And Of course she is a good wife and mum, she has had lots of experience with her family, to raise her children more properly. (Mainly more tolerant, and willing to accept people for their faults and values. )

You know, I think Crea would probably wear Uthal down.  Not that he's particularly cold or distant.  His problem is more being hot-headed!  But I think he'd definitely take Crea under his wing, teaching her to develop her own brand of taking-no-shit from others.

Haha, I imagine Crea taking Uthal's lessons to heart in intimidation and trying it out for herself without realizing Uthal is standing behind her while attempting to intimidate someone and thinking she got it locked down

I can definitely see Arti and Crea getting side tracked with random endeavors, Crea's out of curiosity and new experiences, and Arti just trying to be the most helpful and caring person.

Well, Acanthya came from humble beginnings (elven father was a traveling minstrel and her mother was a barmaid at a famous tavern at the intersection of a major trade route) and probably would have remained humble regardless of her individual accomplishments and that of the Company's. I believe she would not have seen any of her companions as rivals, though she might have found such a concept amusing. This is how I see Acanthya's personal interactions with the group:

1. Artiaglith Feylight:  As a full-blooded elf, she would have probably found her companionship to be an almost older sister/surrogate mother type of bond. I could see her having helped Acanthya come to grips with her elven blood and the conflict she felt being of mixed heritage. She could have also helped her hone her ability in the elven language since she was raised by her human mother, whom didn't speak a bit of it. This friendship would have been further cultivated by their proximity to each other in retirement. I could foresee Aria teaching her children and then going to the local pub afterwards and reminiscing about their former adventuring life...:-D

2. Crea:  Seeing as they are both half-elven, I would envision Crea being the sibling that Acanthya never had. Also, seeing that Crea is a bit of a firecracker and Acanthya is not, that would have perpetuated the social dichotomy of opposites form the best friendships. Crea also either taught or encouraged Acanthya to take up the flute with which she has become almost passable with. Their misadventures are probably the stuff of legends...:-D

3. Markus Stern: I would say Acanthya's relationship with Markus would have started out very poorly. His harsh demeanor and past would have frightened her at first, but as he slowly grew into the hero he was to become, she would have warmed up to him. I see her considering him as a brother and true friend, especially after the countless times they have saved each other's lives. I also could see Markus helping Acanthya hone her swordsmanship...:-)

4. Ulfrid Dragoncleaver: I could see Ulfrid having a tremendous impact on Acanthya's life. His friendly demeanor would have taught the young half-elf a valuable lesson. Never judge a book by its cover. As they adventured together, she would have shed all her preconceptions about half-orcs and come to value Ulfrid as a friend and fellow combatant.

5. Uthal Blacktalon Regestaiko: No offense, but I probably would have despised your character given his apparent insufferableness (not sure if that is even a word). I'm sure that our relationship would have remained strained throughout our careers, perhaps warming slightly to a grudging respect of your skills on my part. While I might have felt bad about it afterwards, my initial thought of your character vanishing from the deck's insidious magic was one of indifference...:-D

Acanthya, I'd be down with that relationship!

I feel like Ulfrid and Markus could have a somewhat friendly competition. Ulfrid would have sympathized with Markus over the loss of his family

Oh no Crea, Uthal would be the one grabbing the guy around the collar, slamming him back into his seat, and demanding he explain exactly why he wasn't intimidated so Crea can learn!

Acanthya: not even remotely offended!  Uthal's not really an asshole, but he is an abrasive personality, and not clicking with someone wouldn't shock me in the least!  It was likely mutual.  Grudging respect for usefulness to the Company, but toherwise?  Separate sides of the tavern.

I'm a little brain burnt from a 13 hour shift that severely screwed up my back, but I'll take a crack at it.


Acanthya Starblade - I like your idea. Yeah, Markus was definitely an emo lone wolf jackass back in the day, which would put anyone off. But these days I can see more of a brotherly/sisterly relationship going on. With all of the dysfunction that goes along with it. :)

Artiaglith Feylight - Markus was probably annoyed by her do gooder personality back in the day, but it was probably the behavior that finally broke him out of his selfish ways. Rubbed off on him but good. Maybe a paternal kind of relationship? As in, Markus says "Yes Mom." and Artiaglith goes "Tsk tsk...he has such potential." :p

Crea - Good cop, bad cop relationship? You smile at 'em, I scowl at 'em? Got each other's back, y'know?

Uthal Blacktalon Regestaiko - Bravado and overconfidence sounds like just the kind of behavior that would have driven lone-wolf Markus nuts. Maybe an intense dislike back in the day, but growing, grudging respect for valor and strength over the years? Now they are old friends ala old soldier buddies?

Ulfrid Dragoncleaver - I could see Ulfrid and Markus being bros. Both men with anger issues and rough pasts. There might be a sticking point, dunno how Ulfrid would feel about it, but I wrote that Markus used to participate in Orc scalp taking. Major issue, or water under the bridge?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:02, Mon 06 Aug 2018.

Two things: first, Uthal is a Goliath, not an Orc.  People just don't always differentiate them well in art!

Second: I hereby declare it canon (unless the DM drops rocks on me) that there is a running joke of Uthasl being confused with an Orc.  He blames Acanthya for spreading those rumors.  Possibly they're actually her fault, who knows?

I actually switched the names by accident. I have since fixed it.

Better?

I am proficient in Deception and with such a pretty face...:-p

J'accuse!

And Markus, I think that would work.  During his more emo moments in interdimensional prison, Uthal will think me and Markus ended up getting along...what's Acanthya's problem?!

@ Marcus- She was indeed that annoying ugg do gooder, and she kept at it rather than beat him over the head with a shillelagh. She kept at it, nothing is beyond reaching eventually in her eyes. She's NG so true good. She answers too Yes Mom, she refers to this larger man as her SON when they meet just a squealed "SON" and she would be so happy he found a family, and has kids. Grandbabies <3

Sure thing, Mom. ;)

But to show how much Markus has been changed by the Silver Company, so you can all keep some idea when referencing Panic! at the Disco Markus from yesteryear:

Markus was Lawful Evil. These days, he is Lawful Neutral/Good.

The running joke has been so ingrained that when Crea gets all up in arms about something she starts ranting towards Ulfrid and Uthal in orc!

I'm up for a bad cop good cop with Markus, she's well practiced and experienced from the earlier adventures to be capable in producing results to gather information when needed. And I imagine she'd have a list of plans and tactics that she has with each member to deal with certain situations.

Kind of like Thor/Loki's relationship like "Get Help" lol

Maybe there's a list for each member, especially the shenanigans with Acanthya and Arti

Now I'm really interested in classes so I could make combos!

Hi everyone, I'm the FNG.  This seems like the best spot to introduce myself, so...

Hargrim grew up as a relative nobody in his kingdom.  His parents were minor, if somewhat talented silversmiths, but there didn't seem to be much hope for his life beyond an apprenticeship somewhere.  He spent time in service to the temple to Moradin, and was there when the king, the royal family, and the royal council were all slain to the last by the traitor-turned-lich who'd been plotting to overthrow the kingdom.  He was one of countless refugees who fled the rising tide of the undead and other monsters.  He prayed and made a solemn vow that he would gain the power he needed to re-take the kingdom, and make sure no one else lived through that sort of horror.

He joined the Silver Company through their adventures, becoming a powerful and terrifying warrior, crafting a reputation for being the relentless, unforgiving hand of justice against lawbreakers, or those who tried to prey on those beneath them.  He also gathered anything he thought would aid him in growing strong enough to take retake his home.

Since the company officially parted ways, he returned to his former home and with the aid of some other adventurers, destroyed the lich and its followers, and was instated as king.

In general, Hargrim has three sides: with friends and family, he's quite friendly, sociable, a fair storyteller, and a master of the drinking song.  In what he calls his "working" capacity as one of Moradin's chosen, he's an figure of terror and implacableness, the concentrated essence of every lawman who ever refused to take no for an answer in one compact shell.  As a king, he's gained a reputation for doing his best to be fair and just, though outright lawbreaking is still punished quickly and decisively.

Welcome along!

Welcome Hargrim! Dwarf for the win!

I take it we lost Uthal?

Uthal it seems got nomnomed by the IRL monster.

Thank you, thank you!  Happy to be here!  Trying to figure out where I'd tie into everyone.  I get the feeling Hargrim and Marcus would be friends quickly, and stay that way.  Hargrim would definitely appreciate his past and dedication to tracking down lawless dangers.

Artia is pretty much the mom of the group in a lot of ways. She's miss encouragement. Lol

Hopefully Artia won't mind the ponies Hargrim sends the kids for every birthday...it's a big farm, right?

I can see them bonding over being unrelenting, stubborn, pragmatists. However, I assume Hargrim is a good guy, yes? You might have been disgusted by Markus' justice being motivated by coin, before Mom and Co made Markus start being good himself. Then they became better friends.

That work for you?

Pictured: Markus slowly trying to be good.

Disgusted?  No.  Hargrim would've looked Marcus in the eye (assuming a proper spot to boost himself up), and flat-out told Marcus he was wrong.  Discussion would not be invited.  Marcus could admit it at his convenience. :)  Grim (because Moradin knows, the name fits when he's on a quest) believe people are entitled to mistakes, as long as they realize and correct them quickly.

I could see Hargrim and Ulfrid not getting along at all at first (in good part because of the whole dwarf/half-orc thing), but eventually getting into a Legolas and Gimli style friendly rivalry (though Ulfrid might have difficulty keeping count while he's in a rage)

Oh okay, we can do it here.  I wasn't sure what the plan was, with the gap in activity.



This is Kella. Kella burns things.

From my rtj:
"Kella didn't want to be an adventurer. Kella wanted to be a wife and mother, run a bit of cottage industry, have a strong social life, and die happy in the distant future. Kella wanted to welcome her husband home from the mines, or the fields, or the kiln, laugh uproariously during dinner, recite devotionals to the children, and settle into bed for first-sleep."

But that was before the magic settled on her shoulders. When the rest of the Company met her, she was an emotionally withdrawn alcoholic who was killing time with mercenary contracts and trying to not kill anything else. She had a reputation built up as too dangerous for the delicate jobs, but indispensable for anyone worried about serious hostilities. If she couldn't terrify a problem away, it usually wound up as a pile of cinders a few seconds later. She acted stoic and indifferent in the field, raucous and glib when carousing between jobs. Over time, and never while sober, she'd have let slip that she never tried to learn magic, never really wanted magic, and left home after burning her husband, children, and house all to the ground. Someone once called her the Oracle of Arson, and it stuck. There's at least one whole clan of goblinoids with very strict rules about just calling her "sir". She still has a problem with collateral damage, but she usually "fixes" that by deliberately getting surrounded and blasting her way out as needed.

This is someone extremely eager for a sense of home and community, but who was horrified at the risk of feeling that again. Especially once she started to make enemies. She actually had earrings enchanted at one point as a voluntary muzzle on her spells - it was a real fight when she took them out first. I imagine something during their first job together convinced her you folks could take care of yourselves, or maybe she was finally at the point in her recovery when she became able to trust herself around others. However it happened (I am soliciting ideas) she broke her own rule about never working two contracts with the same people, and ultimately joined on. This could be after the Company was assembled, if you have a lot of interwoven backstory to avoid disrupting, or she could have been around for the founding.

As for retirement, my first idea was a huge battle near the end of the Company's time together. Things got chaotic, people got separated, there was a portal opened to the Burning Sea... Kella was missing, presumed dead, in the chaos. In fact, when she woke up afterward, she mistook some remains and thought she'd wiped out both sides . So she went into exile for grieving and wallowing in her trauma and not putting anyone else in danger. She will be almost as embarrassed as relieved to have been wrong, but a decade or two of denying her nature have left her shaken.

So that's long, but I think it has all the hooks laid out. Show me what you got.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Fri 28 Dec 2018.

Based on what I saw, I think Grim and Kella probably got on fairly well.  A bit of bonding over their lives being shattered before joining the Company.  Grim was probably her drinking buddy during her alcoholic period (not because he needed it; he was more looking out for her).  And while he may not have stopped her, he would've simply told her that her binge drinking was a terrible idea, and let her sort her shit out, lending a listening ear when requested.  While Grim isn't the "team dad" type, he'd definitely at least play 'slightly aloof, well-intentioned older brother".

Hello gang!

Ghorza is a war priestess of Gruumsh--a feat of fate, destiny and blood which was not of her own choosing. Ghorza carries her power like a curse and while proficient regrets not being allowed to choose the fundamental path that her life would follow.

She is a borderline berserker in battle but outside of combat she strives to maximize the user of tactics and strategy.

Ghorza has a soft spot for a healer who brought her back from death's door (if anyone wants the role I think that would  be super cool). In her backstory the situation is someone of an unrequited love but PG roleplay is welcomed.

Ghorza is also know for her soft spot for half-breeds and works to create an orphanage just for them.

Looking forward to working to mix our BGs/collective stories!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:46, Thu 27 Dec 2018.

@Hargrim - That actually sounds like a good approach. Early on, she'd have been super gunshy about standard displays of caring. But the slow, hands-off style might let her bond on her own time.  I had actually picked Dwarvish as a language for unrelated reasons, but it helps this along, too.

@Ghorza - Power as a curse is Kella's whole theme, so that is definitely a point of commiseration.  The difference between being the vessel for the will of the divine and being a conduit for the nature of an elemental plane isn't very big, in practice.  Definitely some talks about how to maintain a sense of independent Self in the face of channeling something so much bigger.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:42, Fri 28 Dec 2018.

I'm going to post this down here so it seems more fresh. I've also eliminated the characters that no longer exist and have put my thoughts about the other characters...:-)

Well, Acanthya came from humble beginnings (elven father was a traveling minstrel and her mother was a barmaid at a famous tavern at the intersection of a major trade route) and probably would have remained humble regardless of her individual accomplishments and that of the Company's. I believe she would not have seen any of her companions as rivals, though she might have found such a concept amusing. This is how I see Acanthya's personal interactions with the group:

1. Markus Stern: I would say Acanthya's relationship with Markus would have started out very poorly. His harsh demeanor and past would have frightened her at first, but as he slowly grew into the hero he was to become, she would have warmed up to him. I see her considering him as a brother and true friend, especially after the countless times they have saved each other's lives. I also could see Markus helping Acanthya hone her swordsmanship...:-)

2. Hargrim Steelsplitter: Acanthya would see Hargrim as a rock in the chaotic world around them. She would probably look at him as a father figure. I think it would be great if he was the one who taught her how to speak Dwarven...:-)

3. Kella Stravnos: Acanthya would probably have the same initial thoughts about Kella as she did about Markus. I could see them slowly bonding over dead family and perhaps with Acanthya's gentle minstrations, Kella could have reached the point where she forgave herself. Kella would definitely enjoy the fact that when armed and armored for battle, Acanthya was immune to fire and thus totally safe to be in any AoE spells of said element...:-D

4. Ghorza Aminel: Acanthya would see Ghorza as an enigma. A cleric of a chaotic evil god should not be so darn likeable (I assume you are good aligned or at least neutral since in 5e it doesn't matter what your alignment is in relation to your deity as a cleric. As a player since 2e, I find that odd, but...). Acanthya sought out the power she has to revenge herself against the evil lich. Ghorza and Kella both had theirs thrust upon them unwillingly and the fact they resent it is an alien concept to the half-elf.

5. Satari Creed: I believe Acanthya and Satari would definitely have bonded in two ways. They are both arcane warriors who blend magic and blade. Also, Acanthya picked up the flute and probably loves to accompany Satari, poorly when compared to her skill I'm sure, when she is in a musical mood.

Yay! I love it. I would like to say that Ghorza is likeable. She plans/intends to use the power which she has to fight evil and make a place for half-breeds. She has grand designs for outwitting a god but secretly she fears she will fail. This fills her with fear because she knows Gruumsh will use her to accomplish unspeakable things.

I think Ghorza would confine in Acanthya. There are things which she feels she should be able to handle on her own however when the world and all the puzzles become too much I would like it if Ghorza perceived Acanthya as a type of refuge from her troubles.

Love this sooooo much! I think Ghorza has problems with the divine influence which is Grummsh. It is both the source of her power and a force which poisons her rationality, thought and serenity. Tactically learning how to maintain a sense of self in the face of something so old and so powerful would be a keystone of Ghorza's development. Does Kella use any particular technique's ie mediation or something like that? I would say that Ghorza would adapt something like that (in a little sister to Kella type of way) and use that technique in her continuing battle against the "fire within her blood".

Thanks again--great tie in!

@Ghorza: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh not as such.

  The point where the difference is meaningful is that nothing Kella contacts is malicious, just indiscriminately destructive.  At least as far as I've considered, her actual coping methods amount to putting herself in positions where most possible targets are legitimate ones, partying her ass off to avoid thinking about the families those bandits won't be coming home to, and keeping on the move so she won't actually get to know anyone enough to care what happens to them.  Obviously, being a part of something like Silver Company changes that, but I'm still trying to work out how so.  She'd always have stayed dangerously reckless, at least.  Bleeding a little along the way makes killing hurt less.  And jumping between the weak and the lash of the strong.  But ultimately, every. single. spell. she casts. reminds her of why she doesn't trust herself, and she's a straight sorcerer, so that's a lot of rubbing her own face in it.

  In those situations where she managed to be both vulnerable and coherent, I imagine the advice largely hewed to 'find out what gruumsh wants, warn everyone you don't agree with him about, and use the others as peace offerings'.  Kella is very open about who and what she is, to the point that she probably opted to stay away from any missions where they might have to blend in.  She wants to let people get tf out of her way whenever possible, and she'd suggest the same.  If you make choices when your head is clear that limit what you can do when it isn't, it's almost like being able to make choices in the moment.  Almost.  For everything else, there's whiskey.

---

@Acanthya: yeah, actually, that would matter a lot, but not for tactical reasons.  She didn't want a melee she could safely blanket; Kella was always the type to teleport directly onto the enemy commander and start dropping fireballs at her own feet.  And even if you're pulling that shit because part of you is hoping this will be your last fight, it's pretty terrifying to enact.  Not being completely alone when going for broke would be a direct counterargument to her understanding of the world.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:10, Fri 28 Dec 2018.

Ok, so i’m Working with what i’ve got here; everyone feel free to correct me ifbi’m Wrong about anything!

1. Hargrim: i’m So sorry, but how you must hate Satari!  She would be the one to play Devil’s Advocate to your every suggestion, and i’m Guessing it would grate a little that she refuses to treat situations with the gravity they deserve; she recognizes it, she just refuses to admit it!  FWIW, Satari actually would like and respect him, she just can’t help her sense of drama!

2. Aycantha: I can easily imagine Satari being Aycantha’s honorary Cool Big Sister (why no, she didn’t get a choice there; why do you ask?).  They’d definitely have bonded over music and battle, though Satari May never forgive Aycantha if her flute playing hasn’t improved; what will people think?! ;)

3. Ghorza: Oh no, looked down on for a part of your nature beyond your control, and mistrusted for/about it despite it not even coming close to defining you?  I think Ghorza is probably the first of the Conpany to ever get Satari’s actual history in a moment of vulnerability.  Sure, being the chosen priestess of an evil war god is different from merely looking like the chosen priestess of an evil war god, but for Satari, it’s close enough to open up.

4. Kella: Here i’m Not quite sure!  Satari’s general “live hard, party harder, it’s all gone when you die anyway” philosophy might clash with some of Kella’s Need for control and (what Satari would view as a) martyr complex.  But if Hargrim is the angel on her shoulder telling Kella to put down the tankard of ale, Satari is definitely the devil buying rounds for the tavern!

5. Marcus: I got nothing yet! :)  i’m Working on it though!

I won't deny that at all.  She never handled her shit well, and it left her making a lot of bad choices for stupid reasons.  One of the dangers of being mortal.

Aycantha: that could be fun.  Though expect one of her first dwarven phrases to have been "Hargrim is my ally, not my father".  I think Hargrim has officially become reluctant Team Dad, though it does fit well with his drive to establish order in a sea of chaos.  She'd be the one he saw the most potential in to step in as a second-in-command (frankly, because Marcus has outright stated in his background that he's a great warrior, but not a leader).

Ghorza: I think Ghorza and Grim are probably a bit aloof.  Though Grim will outright admit it's based on ingrained biases, and nothing she's ever done personally.  I'm not quite sure how to phrase it.  Grim would trust Ghorza with his life implicitly; they've been through too much for him to doubt her, but he's still just a bit more distant from her.

Satari: Headache With Legs, got it!  I think you probably just summed up their relationship handily.  While Grim may appreciate having his ideas challenged to make sure they're sound, I'm sure he wished it was less.

My first attempts, sans the people I've already ironed things out with:

Ghorza Arminel - I could see the two of them, if not explicitly becoming friends back in the day, at least having a great mutual respect over being willing to get bloody and dirty for their goals. And seeing as Ghorza is creating an orphanage, and Markus is a father, I could see them bonding over the role of parenting. What do you think?

Kella Stravnos - Dark pasts, emotional trauma, and hiding behind masks of our own making? Hello soulmate! :p

But seriously, misery loves company, and I could see them being close without being too outwardly expressive about it. "Sharing loneliness," as Holmes would say. Yes? No?

Satari Creed - If it's not too much, I could see Markus actually disliking Satari to a great degree, at least right away. Initially from a (in his opinion) healthy caution around those of demonic blood, and a great aversion to joviality and revelry. But years and battles pass, and she grew on him. And maybe vice versa? The grumpy grump that was (kinda is) Markus would be a great source of amusement and the butt of humor for Satari?

Great--I think that sounds fantastic!

This message was deleted by the player at 03:15, Sat 29 Dec 2018.

Yes, definitely.  There is definitely a specific look that says 'You shouldn't do this, but I wouldn't be able to hold back either.'  And possibly more important are, as you say, emotional responses in common.  They probably pushed to take/avoid a lot of the same jobs.  Get out of town before the same festivals.  Self-regulation techniques in common.  One thing though:


Markus wasn't initially a father, was he?  Kids are not a conversation Kella would have been a part of for, like, at least the first couple years.



@all - Actually, good question.  How long was the company together at first?  Who was about how old when they first came together?  Are we ready to talk retirement and the details of reuniting yet?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Sat 29 Dec 2018.

Yay! Glad you like it.



You totally get it, excellent. We are on the same page with that.

And Markus was not a father until after their "retirement."

I've pretty much stated in my backstory we've been retired for about twenty years. I'm not sure how long we were together. My character is eighty-four years old and started adventuring when she was thirty. So, that is about a thirty-four year span of adventuring time. I'm open to discussion about how long we actually adventured together. I would say it would have to be at least ten years to become as famous and awesome as we want...:-D

Us humans have to at least be young enough to at least theoretically continue kicking ass.

How about fifteen years of adventuring, and five years of retirement?

At least in my case, that would put Markus at 43. Still well within ass kicking age.

Yeah, Kella was a hard minimum of 19 when she left home, and every year below about 24 on joining SC makes a big difference in her relationships. But I'd honestly conceived of her as a late addition to the group, someone who already had an established reputation as a weapon for hire^* before she met this band of misfits who also had a name built up. And especially someone who thought she knew how to get by without those troublesome "emotional bonds" things. On the other hand, she runs on pure willpower. The, uh, incredible stats aside, she could be pushing 60 now but for one stark problem: rpol.net doesn't think human women over 28 exist, so the portrait is never going to be right. And god help you if you didn't want to be white.

Anyway, 20 years since first link-up works for me, and makes her about Markus' age, maybe a little older. If we'd been A Group for longer than about 5, though, let me just dial back the shell-shock and drowning-in-the-bottle notes. Those were early. Not that she really got better, mind you. But the emotional heft of mutual dependence and ass-saving and basically being a Family would have softened (distracted) her a lot. By the close of a decade, she'd have emerged as more of a caretaker. If we had a base of operations, it was Kella who made it cozy: good furniture, a garden plot, serious meals, maybe even holiday decorations. Twice, because the first time someone brought up that she was turning the place into a real home, she'd have incinerated her own work. Secret chagrin for the next three weeks, eventually she'd have given it another stab and just pretended to not hear anyone who pointed out that her grieving had become less dramatic. I think she'd have spent a while ashamed of betraying her old family by loving this one, but a person has needs.

^*-I promise I am not trying to be edgy. I'm honestly just reconstructing some tropes: what kind of person does become the sort of optimization-bot munchkins love? 5e doesn't really give space to min-max, which is good. Makes the exploring of themes less obnoxious.

I'll just alter my age to fifty. That would accommodate me starting adventuring at thirty, fifteen years of badassery, and five years of quaint, tranquil life as a diplomat/teacher. That would mean I would have married to Kadrian for twelve years of the fifteen years we were a company. Then we had four years of retirement before he died. So, I've been living alone and grieving for about a year then.

-A note on Kadrian. I just made him up from whole cloth. He was a member of the Company. A fighter who was older and wiser than Acanthya. He could have been the original founder of the Company before we joined. He was a bit older that Acanthya. I'm going to say he was fifty-five when Acanthya became a member of the company, which would have mean he died at seventy-two while I was still forty-nine. Unless anyone has a problem with that scenario...:-)

This time frame burns through the entire life of a half-orc unfortunately.

 14 years maturity (still pretty young but I am open to it) =D
+34 years of adventure
+20 years of retirement
 68 (Half-orcs age noticeably faster and rarely live over the age of 75)

* We could do some hand waving and say something about divinity, but from Gruumsh it doesn't seem super likely.

But I am totally open to the timeline if it gels with everyone's. Perhaps Ghorza is the second bearer of this bloodline curse and part of the reason for the long downtime was laying an old comrade to rest?

I think this adjustment would allow me to say yes to the timetable and to and an additional layer to the character story.

Thoughts?

I’ll leave most of this to all of you, but based on my timetable, you’ve all been retired at least 10-15 years. Assume magical or divine intervention could’ve extended lifespans and/or regressed the ravages of again to an acceptable degree. :)

tru.

Baubles and potions and spells aplenty.  Maybe a leveraged curse, or a favor owed.

What about a simple ten adventuring, ten retired?

A decade is a long time...

10 and 10 sounds cool for me

Oh a decade’s not that long; Markus has been saying it feels like a decade since about three days after Satari joined up!

As far as why we split, i’m getting the impression it was more of a gradual breakup, with people dropping off in ones and twos, like Kella thinking she burned everyone, or Satari’s oath of pacifism.  Though for all we know, the Silver Company could still exist in name.  There’s a non-zero chance (read: it totally happened) that some brilliant, enterprising soul liscensed the rights to the name once the real Company split!

I think 10 and 10 is a very good compromise...:-)

10 and 10 works for me too. Grim has been in circulation a lot longer, but a decade as a member of the Silver Company certainly seems sufficient to create some legends!

It's also worth pointing out for us flashes in the pan that any place you see "rarely live past", a violent end is the only thing keeping us from being guaranteed rarelies.  With how the stats work on the ability rolls, I will be genuinely surprised if any of us has under 14 Con, so we'd have been much less often sick than other members of our races, heal faster from injuries, and generally be the best chances for some top-end lifespans.  But sure, a decades split.

I actually have a 12 Con. With such a low score, I might only make it past 160 or so...:-p

How positively dainty.