Lord Rogar Stoneaxe

- Knows everyone
- Leader of Clan Stoneaxe and the Expedition
- Oath sworn to his followers

Baldin Stonecrusher Paladin (Moradin)

- Oathsworn to Lord Rogar Stoneaxe

Braelig Stonehammer Forge Cleric

- Sworn to service under Lord Rogar as a knight
- Distant cousin to Kroland "Rocksinger", whose clan claim to be the true ancestors of the Stonesinger clan
- Cousin to Baldin and Braelig, though perhaps far-removed in the annals of the root 'Stone' clan


Bugrem Stonesinger Ranger

- Knows

Eusebia Hearthwatcher Axegrinder Cleric

- Known by everyone through the temple

Flint GoldHelm Artificer

- Knows

Gillifian Bristlebeard Fighter

- Knows

Grenda Clawhammer Artificer

- Known as an archaeologist


Joskar Dunbeard Caver (Ranger)

- Cousin of Lyesri Shadowforge
- Knows that Lyesri has become darker and more withdrawn
- Loner.  He gets along with people, mostly, he's friendly, and seems to be a bit of an optimist (which can be annoying), but he does not stay around long, and he sometimes gets in trouble for not remembering traditions and customs.  This is because he spends so much time wandering underground to find veins of ore and gemstone deposits.
- He is the grandson of the oldest clan elder of Dunbeard, one who fought for one of the lesser kings.  Like so many noble families, the clan has lost wealth, prestige, and political power.
- He has been assigned by the elders of his clan to find and access their old mines, if posssible.


Kildrak Fireforge To Be Decided

- Knows

Kroland 'Ironleg' Rocksinger Fighter

- Kroland is known for being a veteran officer, the ironleg epithet because of martial and general stubborness and as a wepaonsmaster that trains new recruits and drills the newer warriors

Lyesri Shadowforge Sorcerer

- Cousin of Joskar Dunbeard

Reizzok Stoneaxe Cleric

- Knows

Toramar Greymane Ranger

- Knows
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:11, Mon 12 July 2021.

Joskar, you can be Lyesri's cousin.

Youo know that shes always had an interest in the arcane, but a few years back something happened that changed her, made her withdraw and a little darker. She also gained power quickly

Joskar is a bit of a loner.  He gets along with people, mostly, he's friendly, and seems to be a bit of an optimist (which can be annoying), but he does not stay around long, and he sometimes gets in trouble for not remembering traditions and customs.  This is because he spends so much time wandering underground to find veins of ore and gemstone deposits.
He is the grandson of the oldest clan elder of Dunbeard, one who fought for one of the lesser kings.  Like so many noble families, the clan has lost wealth, prestige, and political power.
He has been assigned by the elders of his clan to find and access their old mines, if posssible.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:58, Fri 09 July 2021.

Baldin is oathsworn to Lord Rogar Stoneaxe for the duration of the expedition and to the rightful heir, whoever it might be, for life. He is happy to count any other party members as relatives if they so desire.

Eusebia probably knows all of them or has at least heard of them all through the temple.

Grenda Clawhammer is a name known by many, but a person well known by few.  She has spent at least the last decade digging through ruins and ancient cities to find information about the lost culture of the Dwarves.  It is unclear what percentage of the information being used by this expedition she is personally responsible for discovering but she is part of the team that has been bringing back such clues for far longer than most realized it was even happening.

Bugrem is:
- Sworn to service under Lord Rogar as a knight
- Distant cousin to Kroland "Rocksinger", whose clan claim to be the true ancestors of the Stonesinger clan
- Cousin to Baldin and Braelig, though perhaps far-removed in the annals of the root 'Stone' clan (shout, either of you, if you prefer not)

Bugrem could eaily be:
- Well-known to Joskar or Toramar, through training or missions
- Ex-hireling of Grenda, in one of her underground forays
- Flock to one of the Clerics, though his clan favours Mya and Berronar, he is a follower of Dumathoin
This message was last edited by the player at 12:21, Fri 09 July 2021.

Many might have heard the epithet 'Ironleg' and any involved in martial affairs would very likely know Kroland as he is often the first to volunteer for action and always leads from the front. He is very approachable and cheerful in general dispite his gruff and stern appearance and when not fighting is always busy helping out at a smithy or training younger warriors in weapons fighitng and tactical drills.

It seems very likely that his family is somehow related to and possibly were rivals with Bugrem Stonesinger's family.

Likely knows Gilifian Bristlebeard.

Will have very likely served under Lord Rogar Stoneaxe as an officer in the army and will have stuck close by since the disaster took place.

It would make sense that Baldin Stone Hammer and Kroland knew each other fairly well as they seem to have close goals and seem like the charge into battle without hesitation types.  happy to discuss specifics or other thoughts with anyone else as well.

Because of his inexperience, Toarmar is probably an unknown quantity. At 48 years old, he is technically still a child. If anyone is similarly young, they might be childhood friends.

People have probably heard of his mother and grandfather though. His mother, Drika Greymane, is probably one of the most famous dwarven underdark rangers still working today. His grandfather, Bresik Greymane, is retired now, but is the subject of many tales of adventure and valor that are told around the fire to inspire young dwarves. If Bugrem and Joskar have been working as rangers for awhile, they probably know the Greymane name and might even have worked with Toramar's mother.

In reply to Toramar Greymane (msg # 9):

How much are you wanting to riff on the inexperience angle? It makes sense that Bugrem knows your mother, but Lord Rogar might have 'suggested' that Bugrem mentors Toramar, partly for the experience and partly as an attempt to keep Bugrem from wandering off on some kind of death quest

In reply to Bugrem Stonesinger (msg # 10):

I think that works really well. I want to lean in to the inexperience as the main starting point for my character arc.

Done, then!

In reply to Bugrem Stonesinger (msg # 12):

Reizzok is a Stoneaxe, so pretty much anyone who's lived/served/been around them could have come into contact with Reizzok either in the training grounds for fighting or the forges for smithing work (or really any other tool)

Burgrem - since you were raised partly in Stoneaxe Clan, it would make sense that you and Reizzok are probably pretty familiar with each other. Weapon crafting for him, weapon training alongside him. Reizzok is proficient in survival as well (assuming Burgrem is too as ranger!) so we could have done some survival training with each other.

Kroland - you and Reizzok would definitely know each other if you've been serving with Clan Stoneaxe for this long. Maybe you train up the younger dwarves for part of their martial training, so you'd have been a sort of weapons master to Reizzok?

In reply to Reizzok Stoneaxe (msg # 13):

Definitely makes sense - weapons training and survival from expeditions locally. Bugrem has trained as a stonemason, with Jothoun providing scraps of familial lore since that is one thing the Stonesingers were known for, rather than having any affinity with Forge or smithcraft

Kildrak was born to a dwindling clan that could trace it's line back to Dammerhall, from a handful of dwarves that were away from the city or had moved elsewhere - but the bulk of the Clan had died with the city. He can forge, but it's not his passion. He is an avid book reader, an archaeologist and a wizard.

In reply to Reizzok Stoneaxe (msg # 13):

Yeah i can definitely see that working out as he oftern trains young warriors so tranalating him to a weapons master makes sense. Kroland would have been a very demanding and gruff instructor focusing more on the kind of fighting that will kill quickly and efficiently rather than anything particularly flashy. What was Reizzok like a sa young warrior? did he listen and practice diligently or was his head filled with dreams of heorism and standing out amongst his peers? Did he like Kroland as a weapon master?

In reply to Bugrem Stonesinger (msg # 14):

Possible that you will have trained under kroland with Reizzok? If so you would not have been given an inch of leniency haha

In reply to Kroland 'Ironleg' Rocksinger (msg # 16):

Reizzok is/was grounded, no dreams of heroism. His parents were rigorous with him growing up, Father at the forges, and mother on other tools and history stuff, so he would have been no stranger to long boring repetitive practice.

That said, I doubt he would have *loved* tough instruction from Kroland. So"like" might not be the right word. Respect Kroland? For sure. But unless/until they have some non-teacher/student relationships/downtime I doubt there will be "like" in there :D

In reply to Kroland 'Ironleg' Rocksinger (msg # 17):

Yeah, caught between him and his “protector”, Jothoun. Lots of opportunities for his instructors to conflict

Sounds good and kroland can live with respect and not liking. After all his job wasn't to make freinds  ;)

The ones who will know Joskar the best are probably going to be Lyesri (he seems to be one of the few not worried about her obvious dark side), and his fellow Cavers/Rangers.  And anyone with the Miner background.  He will probably be know peripherally by those with whom he trained in survival and combat skills.  Most would know him as a quiet loner who is usually in a good mood (which is probably why he is a quiet loner, and possibly why he is known to be quite the brawler, having defended himself against a number of angry or sullen drunks who did not appreciate his optimism and general contentment)

It’s possible that Jothoun, Bugrem’s clan retainer, will have sought Kildrak out to tutor him in clan history - him and Ysgard, who is collecting tales

Ysgard has been traveling for the last ~35 years learning the bard trade from his maternal grandmother Skerri. In that time they spent about a year in any location they planned on stopping in, so there is time to encounter them.

Her clan name is left blank for now in the event of possible family ties with someone else.

Ys is quite the instrumentalist and practicing throat-singer, so he would stand out by that, but also braids decorative wooden beads into his beard for all the places he's been and people he has met to the point he is starting to sound like a rainstick. RIP stealth.

So Flint is pretty young for a dwarf, only in his mid 60s. He was born and raised in human lands after his clan fled their homeland from dragons. Flint has a bit of a rebellious streak, at least for a dwarf. It's possible he has met those who still preferred to live underground but unlikely.

If he has a connection to another character it could be a friend of the clan? You guys have to trade with someone on the surface right?

If anyone else spends more time in human cities than caves then it's very plausible we've at least met before.

Kildrak is often both in cities and in ruins, lol! For instance, he likes to buy new books, read them and then sell them, so he could easily have met Flint.

And anyone could have been guarding him on a dig, or on a way to/from a dig, or something else as well, if anyone else wants to have a connection.

I just finished the character sheet and new background.

Braelig is interesting in discovering all information regarding the old kingdom, and has spent years in search of a way to reach it. He is skilled in a wide variety of crafting professions, and could have spent time with anyone who shares in any of them either from working or training with them.

He's an expert in History, Investigation, and Religion, and has read tons of books on all of these and more. Anyone interested in learning anything other than heavy armor and martial weapons has an easy tie to Braelig.

Tools: Cartographer's Tools, Jeweler's Tools, Leatherworker's Tools, Mason's Tools, Smith's Tools, Thieves' Tools, Woodcarver's Tools

Kildrak's love of books certainly fits.

I'm slowly going through the connections and what everyone has posted but it's going to take me a little while to get everything sorted out.

For characters that have a reputation for something I will put
- Known for (specific skill, tradition, religion etc)

Eg Ysgard
- Known for throatsinging

Holy...crap. How did you get so many tool proficiencies?!?!?

I have Cartographer's Tools as well.

Using Tasha's to dump my redundant racial armor/weapon proficiencies.

I'm guessing the same way that Reizzok is proficient in: Alchemist Supplies, Cook Utensils, Jeweler's tools, Leatherworker Tools, Smith's tools, Thieves' tools, Tinkers Tools, and Woodcarver's Tools :D

But I'm still waiting on 100% confirmation that we're allowed to do the racial proficiency swaps from Tashas.

We good. =)
From what everyone else has provided, the ones most likely to have any connection more than a passing meeting might be:
Murli Frostjaw - fellow bard in the pursuit of knowledge
Grenda Clawhammer - similar goals, different means
Toramar Greymane - also a young dwarf, grandparent influence, bardic songs about grandfather
Kildrak Fireforge - Ys is very much a surface/city dwarf and makes the rounds from place to place performing
Flint GoldHelm - archaeology + books = lore~ ++ arcane magics there could easily be some crossovers there

As for anyone being related via maternal bard Grandma: still open.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:09, Sat 10 July 2021.

Morginn is likely to have little to no connection directly to the group, though it's more likely those founding the expedition know of her clan and intend to recruit their aid in traversing the Underdark.

That said, I'm idly curious about potential heritage relations.  If a given clan shares a similar surname as another, does that indicate a potential distant familial connection that gradually spread apart over time?  For instance; would there be any possibility of Kildrak, Lyesri, and Morginn's clans (ie, "forge" suffix clans) having some shared history together far back in their lineage, making them far-flung cousins or the like?  Or is it just more a case of certain surnames being really common and thus shared broadly without any real connection otherwise?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Sat 10 July 2021.

In reply to Morginn Hollowforge (msg # 32):

It could be either, really. The name could stem from a literal forge and the traits of it, or part of the name of the location it was founded in, where the material for it was found/mined, etc. It could be a split in the family, keeping part of the name for heritage but changing a part of it to differentiate us vs them. Could also be same family, but different sides of the mountain, and so on. Could be pure coincidence.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:35, Sat 10 July 2021.

Bugrem will bite; he has proficiency in the Horn, which he might have picked up from her, and is a student of History



Bugrem's clan hold was destroyed by dragons, perhaps the same one?



Acquaintances from Bugrem being hired as a dig guard?



DM, I believe you have Bugrem's connections listed under Braelig right now?

Otherwise, he is known for being a follower of Dumathoin, a crack shot with a crossbow, and wandering on the fringes of the wilds and society
This message was last edited by the player at 08:36, Sat 10 July 2021.

In reply to Bugrem Stonesinger (msg # 34):

Interestingly enough, Ys also knows how to play Horn, so I would think they learned together in this instance. Any interesting tidbits that would have been exchanged in the learning time?

In reply to Ysgard Rumnaheim (msg # 35):

You potentially know a bit more about his clan and the lengths he’s had to go to to keep their memory alive - consorting with human criminals and the clanless, taking on rough work and odd jobs before he swore to the Stoneaxe clan. Your bardic ear would note he’s fluent in both Goblin and Orc tongues. Like his signet ring, the horn he carries is his fathers
This message was last edited by the player at 11:15, Sat 10 July 2021.

DM: Kroland known for being a veteran officer, the ironleg epithet because of martial and general stubborness and as a wepaonsmaster that trains new recruits and drills the newer warriors.

In reply to Morginn Hollowforge (msg # 32):

that is a possibility...a long lost cousin

Dwarven familial and clan relationships get convoluted.

Sounds good to me!

In reply to Bugrem Stonesinger (msg # 36):

Bugrem will know that Ysgard is the youngest of 4 children of Gerrik Rumnaheim, a guild stonemason in one of the larger human cities. His father was Ulfrecht Rumnaheim who was also a stonemason for one of the former holds that was overrun by orcs, but never physically fell. Grandma Skerri took Ys out on a "trip" (for 35 years) when he showed little skill in working with stone, but a knack for song.

I would like to offer up Haska as a childhood friend for Toramar. She's similarly young at 47.  I can see her mother or grandmother shooing her off to the Greymanes a lot in hopes she would pick up some of the Rangers' skills and/or love for nature that they're hoping to encourage in a child of theirs.

Being someone who explore for ores and gems, Joskar probably has found a few ruins, and knows the tunnels well.  He could easily do guide work for an archaeologist.

So sounds like whether you call it "archeology" or "stories" it sounds like both of you are interested in history. Perhaps Flint has met up with one of you, or both, so that you could tell him the grand stories of dwarven past? Flint travelled here to confirm if the stories are true so maybe one of you were a large part of the inspiration for him going on this expedition.


I'm fine with this. Bugrem might not have heard of Flint individually but he might be familiar with the GoldHelm name, and vice versa, if their families fled from the same dwarven settlement.

In reply to Flint GoldHelm (msg # 44):

Sounds solid; I suspect they will have met since Bugrem is a student of history, albeit a reluctant one. I've put him at ~140 years and the destruction of their hold at least thirty years ago, potentially up to a hundred and twenty. In my backstory so far, I've referred to it as Songspire Hold, but that could equally have been just the Stonesinger clanhold within it

*waves*

Open to know anyone, Milli grew up in a tavern ran by her parents. Tavern which served dwarves and humans and was known for good/excellent food and ale which recipe dates all back to Dammerhall (as the family ran a brewery in Dammerhall but they were spared cause they were outside Dammerhall in buying supplies when disaster struck).

However early on Milli's sorcery manifested and was taught by her grandfather, but she also worked in the tavern/bar as a barmaid (and naturally learn family trade) and when grandfather died nearly at the start of the expedition, by his request Milli takes part with the expedittion.

In her own goals besides reclaiming Dammerhall is reclaiming her family's brewery and gets it running again and run the tavern herself while getting the rest of her family back in ofc. Besides those things, she has no grander ambitions (besides someday get married as her mother pestered her about it!).

Ok there is a lot to go through, hopefully will get this done by tomorrow but it may take me a little longer than that.

Ysgard was taken on his journey to meet with a lot of Grandma Skerri's old dwarf friends and hear stories of how things used to be. Flint certainly would have heard some of those re-tellings one way or another.


Quite likely Milli met Ysgard during a visit as his grandmother (and Ys' teacher) probably knew her grandfather. So similar boat for training. Plus taverns tend to like to have bards visit.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:00, Mon 12 July 2021.

In reply to Milli Goldbrew (msg # 46):

If Milli was a barmaid in a bar serving ancient Dammerhall recipes then I'm sure we all know her XD

Reizzok would frequent taverns after a hard day's work at least! He loves a good pint and pretty barmaid is always a good draw for business!

Korg has spent the five years since his apprenticeship ended traveling far and wide, selling his services as a Mercenary.  It is possible he's met Milli.  Coming from the Northeastern Mountains, it is possible he knows Reizzok.  He does enjoy a good drink, and songs.  Having a store of his own fromhis travels.  Though he is far from a bard.

I'm open to connection with whomever.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:40, Mon 12 July 2021.

So it would be safe to assume that Raseri and Korg would have met coming from the same area.

Rase is working towards his 60th year, so he's still young, but growing up fighting Orcs across the way gives him practical experience. But volunteering for the clans to come on this Expedition is a way to continue to grow as a warrior with the "Armistice" in place.

https://music.youtube.com/watc...38&feature=share

In reply to Raseri Frostguard (msg # 51):

Korg grew up in a Clanhold, still strong, but facing ever growing threats.  He's about halfway through his fifties, and spent the years of his apprenticeship learning from the Clan's Masons, and fighting.  At the end of the standard 25 year apprenticeship he set out to earn coin selling his fighting skills.  It also gave him a chance to see the broader world, and the Dwarves place in it.  He's here as a Mercenary, but also to help establish strong Dwarven kingdoms.  He is a follower of Haela Brightaxe, and might be a bit probe to reckless action.

Yeah, possible your char grandmother knew about my grandfather and they met in tavern regularly (like old friends do). Also yes; taverns/inns do bring bards and you know Milli likes to dance (albeit far cry from professional but she has grace in her movements which is above-average to normal dwarf ladies).



In that sense yes, all would had met Milli (at least those who wanted to taste one original recipes from Dammerhall anyways). So their family tavern is famous but they do cater to non-dwarves as well in business and there are likely regular humans who do like dwarven ale and spirits.

Also, Milli accepts compliments to her looks as she does work hard to look pretty (brings clients and who gal would not like compliments), but she has sassy dwarven nature so if any had pinched or tried to, folks had learned she has swift backhand and is rather good swinging it about (and not mention she has cantrips which allow more than enough trouble for rowdy clients; like serving complete frozen ale which needs wait bit to able drink it).

Haha, perfect :D

Joskar would probably feel very awkward around her.  Especially since he does not stay in "town" much to actually get to know her. LOL

In reply to Reizzok Stoneaxe (msg # 55):

And now as I completed sheet; she knows how play viol. So she is decent playing with it very least (dance for fun while doing it as well). Also she controls water and flame so she can either freeze your drink or set your beard on fire from your (or neighbors) pipe if you decide go handsy with her!

But also she has feat so she rolls well on acrobatics with the advantage to escape grapples, so when she doesn't want to sit on your lap she is slippery as an eel to hold anyways!

(and probably all clients know her mother has been overbearing get her married and knocked up to continue family 'legacy', so some suspicion can be going expedition is means to delay the inevitable)

In reply to Milli Goldbrew (msg # 57):

If the goldbrews were famous for their brewing in Dammerhall then Kroland would recognise the family name. May have even popped in to the tavern over years if he wanted to taste true dwarven ale, might even know/ known you mother / grandmother if they were around before the city fell.

In reply to Kroland 'Ironleg' Rocksinger (msg # 58):

Goldbrews are named for reason; their ales were famous already in Dammerhall. But as fortunate in misfortune, most the family usually traveled when they gathered supplies for their brews (family secret and trust only family members to keep it as secret so the entire family traveled regularly outside Dammerhall besides skeleton crew to keep brewery and tavern going).

After the disaster then most likely you had known Milli's grandfather as he was an alive and powerful sorcerer in Dammerhall before it fell. But most recently Milli's grandfather passed away. You would recognize the 'egg' she treasures is similar odd egg her grandfather used as arcane focus.

Her grandmother(s) only one survives and is main recipte/cook of the tavern they run (younger cooks, mostly halfling staff, follow her reign and rule in kitchen) and her mother attends the innkeeping and father the more bar side of things. Also Milli's brothers/cousins work on duty as bouncers and her sisters/cousins are barmaids as well (but only she and her grandfather in the entire family possess actual sorcerous talent).

Consider me having been a sporadic regular then at the tavern then!

So far I've got Raseri as a connection from a few battles, and taverns.  Not always necessarily different instance.

And Milli as a connection from having visited her family's tavern a couple times.

Further connections are welcome, if wanted.

Eusebia would definitely know the tavern, too.

Bugrem's clan are known for their masons, though they are few these days and scattered. You would be aware of them, even if you've not met him...

... but, he's been hanging around the fringes of society, both human and dwarven, and taking coin for it. Entirely reasonable that you've worked the odd  contract together

Sounds good to me Bugrem.  Korg is meticulous in his stonework, his clan too well known for their masons.  They had a trade house in Dammerhall, but never made their home there.  Their Clanhold is far to the North, in the Northeastern Mountains.