THE GRAND MASQUERADE | a hyper-sexual gothic horror adventure (D&D5e)

[shengami]

OK, color me interested. I will try to put something together this evening after rereading the prompt or withdraw my interest.

[Saric]

NAME: Kelmara Goldhearth
TYPE:  Half-Elf Warlock Noble

THE DECEIT: Kelmara is not a native of Port-a-Lucine, or indeed Dementlieu itself, being a native of Waterdeep in the Forgotten Realms whose ship was stolen by the Mists.

THE SCANDAL: Kelmara is actually the 5th child of a Waterdhavian Merchant Noble however, lacking resources and funds she sought work, eventually ending up working at a Tavern. After the owner was defamed and slain by the Red Death Kelmara took over ownership as there was no family and she was the only employee. She now struggles to stay in business, relying heavily on magical trickery.

THE HOOK: A local business owner you may have rented a room or bought a meal from her. Or maybe you sold her some 'provisions'.

[shengami]

• Known Aliases: D'Randall/Simone
• Type: Changeling Rogue City Watch Investigator
• The Deceit: This being hides their race to hide their nature as a shapeshifter, thus allowing them to hide their scandalous truth. They have cultivated multiple identities within the city and distinct individuals.
• The scandal: The member of the city watch known as D'Randall is an upstanding member of the society. The thief and assassin Simone is a known dissident in service to the Raven Queen. Should it ever come to light that they are the same being, it could earn a bounty upon their head.
• The Hook: As an investigator of the city watch, D'Randall is the alias most likely to be known. But it is not impossible for some to know of Simone, especially another servant of the Raven Queen..

That's the character. In their natural form, they are nonbinary. But each of their personalities has a unique identity that they seem to slide into. In fact, whatever original personality they had is shattered and lost. Whether it is one of the three they currently manifest or long buried/dead is unknown. What lead them to this place and position is also a memory they no longer possess as it was given up to the Queen as offering.

D'Randall

Simone

[PhantomPistoleer]

c

Ahh! I didn't even know there was a module. I wonder why the disconnect?

It may or may not be of importance down the line.  Way down the line.

[PhantomPistoleer]

NAME: Kelmara Goldhearth
TYPE:  Half-Elf Warlock Noble

THE DECEIT: Kelmara is not a native of Port-a-Lucine, or indeed Dementlieu itself, being a native of Waterdeep in the Forgotten Realms whose ship was stolen by the Mists.

THE SCANDAL: Kelmara is actually the 5th child of a Waterdhavian Merchant Noble however, lacking resources and funds she sought work, eventually ending up working at a Tavern. After the owner was caught serving roasted rat to his customers as 'rabbit' and slain by the Red Death Kelmara took over ownership as there was no family and she was the only employee. She now struggles to stay in business, relying heavily on magical trickery.

THE HOOK: A local business owner you may have rented a room or bought a meal from her. Or maybe you sold her some 'provisions'.

Not bad.  I think the rat-rabbit connection in the scandal might need a small rework, as "fried rat legs" are considered a delicacy in Dementlieu, enough so that they would be served to the Duchess's guests at the Masquerade.

The deceit, scandal, and hook are otherwise very serviceable.

[PhantomPistoleer]

• Known Aliases: D'Randall/Homer/Simone
• Type: Changeling Rogue City Watch Investigator
• The Deceit: The alias D'Randall is a city watch investigator under Lord Governor Marcel Guignol, but the alias Simone is a servant of the Raven Queen. Tracking down powerful memories and emotions while keeping an eye on this corner of the Shadowfell in her service is their true goal and only real loyalty. They particularly enjoy bringing to justice those identified by their queen. That said, they maintains their secret by serving cutifully in their duties.
• The scandal: The thief known only as Homer is a well known name amond the underbelly of the city. Should it ever come to light that the thief is, in fact, a member in good standing of the city watch, the scandal might spell their end. As such, they are careful and maintians Homer's reclusive reputation.
• The Hook: Most likely as an investigator of the city watch, D'Randall is the alias most likely to be known. But it is not impossible for some to know of Homer. Only another servant of the Raven Queen would know Simone.

That's the character. In their natural form, they are nonbinary. But each of their personalities has a unique identity that they seem to slide into. In fact, whatever original personality they had is shattered and lost. Whether it is one of the three they currently manifest or long buried/dead is unknown. What lead them to this place and position is also a memory they no longer possess as it was given up to the Queen as offering.

D'Randall

Homer

Simone

I am not sure that the character works in the current configuration for the game.  I almost feel like too much is happening with them.

I think a city watch investigator works, I think a thief works, I think an agent for the Raven Queen works, but a city watch investigator who is actually a thief who is actually a Raven Queen agent is a little too much.

I think you should simplify.

[PhantomPistoleer]

NAME: Salvatore Barone
TYPE: Human (Variant), Bard, Spy

THE DECEIT: Barone is a talented performer that in truth makes his money via forgery, fraud, theft and selling others secrets and there is always a high demand for dirt on other families.

THE SCANDAL: Salvatore's family ends with him and he bears a very heavy debt to the Law of Port-a-Lucine. To pay it off he must steal from others and gather as much riches as he can.

THE HOOK: Barone has talent forging and stealing invitations for the right price. It's possible to have been visited by him in his personal spree of theft or to have need of his illicit services.

WIP

Lineage: Human, Variant
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Bard
Background: Criminal (Spy)

STR: 8 ; DEX: 16 ; CON: 14 ; INT: 10 ; WIS: 12 ; CHA: 16

Hit Dice: d8 ; Hit Points: 10 ; Armor Class: 14

Lineage ASI: +1 Dex, +1 Cha

Proficiency Bonus: +2
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skill Proficiency: Deception, Performance, Persuasion, Slight of Hand, Stealth
Tool Proficiency: Gaming Set, Musical Instrument (Violin, Lute, Flute), Thieves Tools
Languages: Common, Elf

Armor: Light Armor
Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords


~Feats~

Actor: +1 Charisma, Advantage on Deception and Persuasion when trying to pass yourself off as another person. You can mimic the speech of another person do long as you have heard them speak for a minute. A contested Insight versus your Deception can be done to see if they notice the mimicry in your inpersonated speech.

Observant: +1 Intelligence, If you can see a person's lips and understand the Language they speak, you can read their lips. You gain a +5 bonus to Passive Perception and Investigation Scores.

Linguistic: +1 Intelligence, You learn three Languages of your choosing. You can create written ciphers and others cannot read them unless you teach them or they pass a Intelligence check against a DC equal to your Intelligence and Proficiency bonus or use magic.


~Inventory~

Pouch of 15 gold
Crowbar
Entertainers Pack - (Backpack, Bedroll, Candle [5], Costumes [2], Rations [5], Waterskin, Disguise Kit)
Dark Commoner Clothes
Leather Armor
Dagger
Longsword


Spell Save DC: 12 ; Spell Attack Modifier: +5

~Spell Slots Per Level~ 1st: 2

~Spells Known~

Cantrips: Mending, Message
1st Level: Disguise Self, Illusory Script, Silent Image, Sleep

I didn't realize that you changed it, LH.

I think the scandal is a little weak because, in this setting, EVERYONE is in debt.  I think a more interesting "scandal" would be something like, that although Barone's forged invitations are very good, they have a survival rate of roughly 50%.  Meaning that, though they may get you into a masquerade here and there, whether you walk out with your life comes down to a coinflip.

[Saric]

Not bad.  I think the rat-rabbit connection in the scandal might need a small rework, as "fried rat legs" are considered a delicacy in Dementlieu, enough so that they would be served to the Duchess's guests at the Masquerade.
The deceit, scandal, and hook are otherwise very serviceable.

I'm running offVan Richten's Guide still, but I thought what got you killed in Dementlieu wasn't so much getting caught lying, but getting caught overreaching in your lies. So rabbit would a lot more 'high class' then rat.

But I could change it to 'crab' that's actually made of insects? Thoughts or ideas?

[shengami]

I am not sure that the character works in the current configuration for the game.  I almost feel like too much is happening with them.

I think a city watch investigator works, I think a thief works, I think an agent for the Raven Queen works, but a city watch investigator who is actually a thief who is actually a Raven Queen agent is a little too much.

I think you should simplify.

OK, I can see where you are coming from. A split iddentity is more manageable. I also like that it parrots a lot of what is going on in Dementlieu, hidden identites, but takes it to anotehr level. His identities both have unique masks, under which are false faces, under which is his true face, but his true identity is lost. Also, just two makes it easier to have wardrobes... haha. Anyway, I eliminated the Homer identity and folded some of it into Simone. She's a known thief and assassin and, less known, servant of the Raven queen. Also, she is known to flout the rule of law in the city. Since she disappears entirely, it's quite hard to track her down. It doesn't hurt that D'Randall is inside the city watch.

Hope that works better. I might reconsider the build a touch to make them better at lying, but we'll see.

[PhantomPistoleer]

I'm running offVan Richten's Guide still, but I thought what got you killed in Dementlieu wasn't so much getting caught lying, but getting caught overreaching in your lies. So rabbit would a lot more 'high class' then rat.

But I could change it to 'crab' that's actually made of insects? Thoughts or ideas?

It is a weird setting that has a bunch of strange rules of decorum that are illogical and somewhat incomprehensible.

I would say scratch the reason and keep it vague.  No one knows what he did to warrant death, except that he had somehow broken the rules.

[PhantomPistoleer]

OK, I can see where you are coming from. A split iddentity is more manageable. I also like that it parrots a lot of what is going on in Dementlieu, hidden identites, but takes it to anotehr level. His identities both have unique masks, under which are false faces, under which is his true face, but his true identity is lost. Also, just two makes it easier to have wardrobes... haha. Anyway, I eliminated the Homer identity and folded some of it into Simone. She's a known thief and assassin and, less known, servant of the Raven queen. Also, she is known to flout the rule of law in the city. Since she disappears entirely, it's quite hard to track her down. It doesn't hurt that D'Randall is inside the city watch.

Hope that works better. I might reconsider the build a touch to make them better at lying, but we'll see.

Okay, maybe rework the scandal, deceit, and hook.  You don't have to spell out every detail of your character, you are allowed to vague.  Keep it simple and manageable, and try not to entangle the character with named NPCs.

[shengami]

Okay, maybe rework the scandal, deceit, and hook.  You don't have to spell out every detail of your character, you are allowed to vague.  Keep it simple and manageable, and try not to entangle the character with named NPCs.

OK, another edit to slim it down and keep it more open. Basically, their deceit is hiding their race. The scandal is that two of their identities are opposing and might embarrass some with power. The hooks are obvious.

Haha. I have some ideas of their backstory and goals, but that can be saved for if I manage to get into the game. Just thought the Changeling things would make for a fun character concept in this setting.

I look forward to balancing their warring identity. They are still a servant of the Raven Queen, but less secret about that.

[Saric]

It is a weird setting that has a bunch of strange rules of decorum that are illogical and somewhat incomprehensible.

I would say scratch the reason and keep it vague.  No one knows what he did to warrant death, except that he had somehow broken the rules.

Edited

[Malia Magnus Wolfe]

Hi, is this still open?