The Harbinger of Ferocity

The Manacles of Destruction - Loosely Based Dungeons and Dragons 3.5

One aspect of success I have noted with doing these play-by-post games is to put any mechanic into a hider, writing the rest of the material outside of it. It appears more elegant for one, but also allows one to quickly determine just what exactly they meant.

Harun grits his jaw, grasping his axe and skilfully adjusts the placement of his feet, knowing that battle is momentarily upon them. Eyeing carefully for the first opening, he prepares the traditional orc tactic of old; rush the nearest for and carve them in two with all the rage he can muster. Yet, before he can so much as act, it seems the foes before him were already anticipating the charge, sending their most armored man to the front...

Hider

Harun rolled a 13 for initiative.
Harun will charge the nearest enemy on his turn, gaining a +2 to his attack but lowering his Armor Class by -2.
Harun attacks for 16 versus Armor Class. If he hits he deals 9 points of slashing damage with his +1 keen greataxe.

Obviously this will mostly only change when certain conditions force them to, but given that initiative determines that, interruptions should be fairly rare. There will only be a few immediate actions I can think of anyone using and they can just simply state them - or attacks of opportunity - here in the Out-of-Character.

As for text colors, I would prefer to use white for myself; default. For a few reasons personally, but if someone would rather, then I would like to use pale gold.

Your Political Ideology: Redux

Because I am one of the outliers among the Guild, I have taken the test once more and it continues to display that my general philosophy on the matter has not changed over the past few years. While this is not a topic I personally enjoy all that much, it is always interesting to compare and review it.

Chart

To answer a potential question, I am unaffiliated and an independent. I prefer to live by my own standards and expectations. That said, I believe this chart in broad strokes continues to reflect that well.

The Manacles of Destruction - Loosely Based Dungeons and Dragons 3.5

You are most welcome, @ELGainsborough. The search function upon that site, when it does work, for the most part has every major supplement viewable.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

"Brannor." The imposing, armored man replied as he removed his grasp from the necklace.

The symbol's luster having returned, no longer caked or smeared with fouling dragon blood, his hands fell to his sides idly. The summoning guardsman was as much a blessing as he was a curse, for while his voice spurred the reminder there was work to be done, it forced Brannor to recall that he and his compatriots were only so ready at the moment. Perhaps the governor of the keep and its city could spare, at minimum someone with restorative prowess if the dwarf was more the fighter and less a healer as he proclaimed to be.

He strode to the smaller, burly man's side, looking back across his shoulder for a moment. The few menders that minded themselves with tending to the wounded were not including the large figure that the champion had seen earlier; it was strange, uncomfortable enough to present his back to it, but there were other matters more pressing it seemed. The worst Brannor could imagine was that the marauders were amassing on the keep in the smoky night, protected by their aerial ally or even their master. He delayed no further, looking to the dwarf in the dim light again.

"I take it that since you claim the forest as your home, you are one of its keepers?"

It was not like the human to begin conversation in this manner, but as with the elf and the half-blooded orc, there was a sense of familiarity to it all. The adornment of animal hides and furs along with the wildness of the red beard, tamed only by wooden charms provided enough added insight that the man was likely a druid or some other adherent to that art. Curious, he went so far as to ask; there was more in common among the two than one might initially think, after all, and those of the druidic art were more few and far between than say the priests of gods.

Gesturing slightly to continue their walking and discussion, the worn chain of his armor clinked slightly as they moved through the stony walls of the citadel; "It is in part what had called me here, at least it was before these dragon-servants attacked."

Brannor admitted as he moved past a few men undoubtedly making themselves ready for whatever would follow next on this night; there weren't many of them, uninjured or readied to arms at least. The enemy had made itself a potent threat between the concealing flames' smoke and the security of their ally drifting across the night. All the same, the sooner he could free of these walls to push the enemy back - with the means to do so - the better. They needed to turn the tide, lest the entire endeavor be lost altogether.

"While these woods are unfamiliar to me, others beyond are not so. So it is strange that I felt any compulsion to be here... which is why I asked earlier." He remarked, furthering down the path he had set himself upon in the discussion.

These matters were all linked as he took it, but that was not a difficult question for him to start - if they truthfully were or not - as he wore his faith in this inwardly and outwardly; a man adorned in the trappings of the natural world physical and that supernatural too. There was not a reason to doubt him, at least on these matters, for few men's blood ran so primal and blessed that it gave them eyes of gold.

"But it is worrisome these omens - the dragons you've seen, the fight we are still fighting and my calling. I fear we are just getting started..."

@Raijinslayer@Hekazu

The Manacles of Destruction - Loosely Based Dungeons and Dragons 3.5

For your uses, @ELGainsborough, here is an example of where the spellthief class can be found. The class itself is in the Complete Adventurer supplement if you have access to that book.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

I will post once I hear back from @Raijinslayer, given I would rather not leave that encounter hanging out to dry so to speak.

There Are No Heroes

"Is it Cutter?" Piper asked, her investment still visibly invested in the subject as her frown eased and her attention drew back to Carver rather than the other man who seethed beneath the surface.

"The man might be otherwise useless and full of bunk from everything I've heard of him, but in this case he might be of use to the investigation." Carver's answer came plainly said as anything else he had to offer, looking over the woman while Chris tore at her with his unamused stare.

Chris reaffirmed his stance, rightfully so it was not his business to be invested in, that much would regularly be true but Carver's aloofness to it did not make the two anymore friendly. The outsider listened however, proving to nod as he did while the man spoke in a hollow, empty manner. It was only after, as Chris sighed, Carver's brow piqued in curiosity and it was clear he was cautiously aware of the unstable veterinarian. The vibes the de facto coroner gave off were present even when nothing was being said - just his presence was enough. If he had the time and means, he would've provided Piper the perhaps already too obvious warning the man was a hair trigger.

"Then as someone who does seem to try to seat themselves in the rationality of their work, I would think the notion you might be involved in something stranger would be of interest to you." Carver's rebuttal did not end there however, "Maybe in particular because you have a previously mentioned encounter in this sort of unusual."

"If it is as you both," He gestured to both Piper then Chris with an open hand from one to the other, "Have stated you believe it to be, perhaps you can put your frustrations to use."

Carver's hands placed themselves to his waist at his rigger's belt; there was more he had to say, but just as he had before he held his tongue. He played a dangerous game, toeing the line repeatedly with Chris who admitted would rather not recall or spend any more thought upon the matter. The man was probably a danger if cornered conversationally or emotionally, the sort who'd come to blows if pressured to hard, but Carver did not seem anymore uneasy than he should. If anything the outsider seemed more interested in pulling him in - Piper alone as the outside observer could see that much. Her own involvement and even the chance to do something with it lent her that much insight without any effort; what was his game - what could he gain from this?

The claustrophobic evidence room was uneasily quiet for a moment, but Carver pressed the situation either way, taking one of the photographs and looking it over before his attention moved to Piper.

"If you are right... and Cutter agrees that you are, what do you intend to do?" He said, holding the image further away from him only to then lay it face down upon the table; worked fingers still resting on it.

@RedXCross@Kidd

The Manacles of Destruction - Loosely Based Dungeons and Dragons 3.5

Ephryas Geraint

Character Sheet for Ephryas Geraint

An outsider to Sander's Reach, this humbly adorned man has had appearances few and far between. He was said to call himself Geraint, dressed himself in robes of the wilderness and bore a worn steel dagger, but rumored more troublingly to be a changer of shapes. While kinder of heart in demeanor and truthful when he did speak, a fierce vein ran in him as does it in many born of nature's domain. While evasive to avoid sparking disorder and concern amongst the townsmen and their wives, spending only but enough time to deliver his quarry in donation to the priests of the good houses, there is little doubt he is some form of druid of old, perhaps even mentored by beings of nature itself. While not a target of concern, the notion of savages able to blend among the midst of civil men has previously drawn the ire of some of those involved.

Yet, in spite of these things, the man's emerald stare and penchant for some form of divine magic seems to have called him again from his hiding. Summoned to combat these darkening times, it seems his recent return is to again establish some strange benevolent connection between mortals and the kingdom primal beyond, that of which only the heavens truly know.

There Are No Heroes

@Ashevelendar, while any being or beast that originates from humans is "fair game", the majority outside the list you see available in the information sections are considered mostly unplayable. For example, a ghoul or zombie might be a creature one would encounter, but the issue lies in their unsuitability for play by a participant.

While I do not outright rule anything out beyond that, any submission outside the standard guidelines will receive added review and calibration. From experience and intent, monsters do not make "good characters"; they are meant to be, in this story, a significant issue for both themselves and their companions - the other players.

All the same, if you are set upon creating something unusual, please refer to the "standard" options to understand my operations.

The Manacles of Destruction - Loosely Based Dungeons and Dragons 3.5

I've managed Myth Weavers to work, @ELGainsborough. I will set about getting that squared away and presentable tomorrow, given as of now I just threw everything into it as hastily as possible to get it down on a viewable file.