OCULUS SINISTER: A Ravnica 5E Game (Looking for For 4-5 Players)

[Brittlby]

OCULUS  SINISTER
A 5E Ravnica Adventure

Act One: A Memory of Elephants


Huddled together closer as they marched through the west plaza, the somber affair was made all the more untenable by the unseasonably cold weather. Breath frozen as it left their lips, frosting the whiskers of the mourners. Friends of the departed had gathered for the long procession, with even the most bitter rivals across the guilds putting aside their differences long enough to pay respect to the passing of a local legend.

Orator Radu had died.

While the Precincts swell with men far braver, smarter and more wise, few were as well liked. Always quick with a story and a sympathetic ear, the only time anyone could recall seeing the Loxodon collector of tales without a drink was in the brief moments while he was awaiting a fresh one. A bar room sage of the market district, never was a cruel word cast his way.

Burly even for a Loxodon, ten pall bearers strained under the weight of his corpse and magnificent coffin. Donated by an Orzhov philanthropist, it was elegantly crafted from hammered bronze, Radu’s likeness in repose etched across the top. A half dozen padlocks rattled with each step of the mourners, to keep necromancers at bay while their claim to the body was fought in the halls of the Azorius Senate.

The Guilds squabbled as usual, but on this sad day, the dark elf necromancer of the Golgari and the “philanthropist” from the Orzhov Syndicate walked together as pallbearers. The line of men rounded the plaza arriving at the courtyard outside of the "Sweet Pepper Lounge", each step drawing them ever closer to the dull murmur of the waiting crowd. Sweet Pepper was once a seedy bar back in Radu's youth, whose steady success saw it grow from a small dive to one of the largest hotels and entertainment venues in West Plaza. Some claimed it was due to the brilliant financial acumen of its owner, while others claimed the lion's share of its start up capial was made as a front for slave trafficing and black market dealings with the Syndicate.

Orator Radu had a different theory, which he often shared. They had expanded the bar entirely off of the proceeds from his bar tab. Taken with a grain of salt, much of what Radu said was spoken with a playful wink and a nod. But then the fact that his barstool had managed to wear three deep holes in the marble floor from the daily erosion of his scooting away from the bar for a brief trip to the privy, perhaps there was some validity to it. Regardless of how, the bar had grown from its humble beginnings to a baroque monstrosity, eight stories of slick pale topaz stone. A brass sign shined with a dull red glow flickering from behind a single word cut in the metal in seven different languages.

"Mandolin".

Despite the expense and trouble they had gone to a decade before to rename it, old timers continued to refer to it as the Sweet Pepper. Gathered in its courtyard were hundreds of wistful well wishers, waiting for the precession to make its way to the center. The red glow of the sign gleamed off of the coffin as they carefully steered through the crowd. In keeping with his wishes, as the pallbearers at last arrived at their destination. they proped his sarcophagus up for viewing outside the doors of the Lounge. Funded by charitable donations and his estate, his daughter, Bureaucrat Radu II saw to his last wish.

One last round for everybody on the departed's tab...

+++++++

This is the calm before the storm.

Those who join us in the City Without End will look back and know that the funeral toast was when things began to come apart. The struggle of the guilds never ends and periods of armistice never last. An hour from now, Bureaucrat Radu II will send out over a dozen missives to guild members. The Loxodon heiress found herself in possession of something that many of the guilds would kill for.

Her father's passion for stories amassed a vast library of rare books. Histories long buried and inflammatory to the Dimir and Orzhov, as well as many treatises of interest to the Simic and Izzet. Rather than living under the sword of Damocles, in her wisdom, rather than keep her father's secret or trust any single guild, she informed a number of interested parties across the Precincts at the same time to assure her protection so long as the books remain hidden.

With the morning sun, old hatreds will blossom anew.

+++++++

Currently looking for a small team of four to five, posting at least twice a week. For the character generation, we're going to be starting at level 3 / point buy.

Ravnica setting is one where contacts are crucial as well as your background. I also know not everyone is super familiar with the setting, so take your time! It's not first come first serve! Probably going to close entries next Monday!

(In the meanwhile, I'll work out a bit of a travelers guide/lexicon for quick reference!)

[Bibliophilia]

Already have an Orzhov Rogue assassin in the works.  Loved the write-up and am excited to see what everyone else submits.

[Muse]

  That is a mind blowing intro, Britby!  :) 

  I'd love to play.  how do i look for setting information?  Something like Ravenica player's guide? 

[Brittlby]

Yep! It’s a surprisingly good setting for being born from the card game. Only downside is that it’s like trying to get a group together for an obscure game, because the book is pretty vital for the guild/setting information.

[AndyZ]

Book is definitely needed for this, then?

[Bibliophilia]

Yeah, you need Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica.

[RubySlippers]

I have two MD appointments this week but would like to ask can I use Xanathar' Guide to Everything it has some Bard options I like?

[Mantis Shrimp Prime]

Ooh. I'll definitely want to submit a House Dimir character.
Maybe a Trickery Cleric. But it depends.
Any particular way you want us to structure our applications?

[Pink Professional]

I am most certainly interested. I'll have a character up in a couple of hours although I'm not decided on whether I shall be of Boros or Selesyna yet.

[Ershin]

Oh my, definitely interested in this, loved the book when it came out after the initial thought of "but why not Planescape/Sigil?" passed. I can't decide on what faction I want to be though - Do I want to be part of the Church Mafia? Either the by-the-books or maverick cop factions? Juggalo that literally starts with a bottle of faygo (listed as sweet red juice) in their inventory? "AARAARRRGH!!!" the guild?

May I ask what options are open for creation? Any limits on races? Guessing UA stuff like the Mystic or Revised Ranger may not permitted?

[Isengrad]

Since it looks like the other planescape game I was in Died I would love to get in on this one. Once we ha e a list of aproved spources ill drop a character in here.

[Brittlby]

Feel free to use any of the books, but I’d prefer to stay away from Unearthed Arcana. I’m not going to restrict any races however.

[Chulanowa]

Feel free to use any of the books, but I’d prefer to stay away from Unearthed Arcana. I’m not going to restrict any races however.

Makes sense, since Ravnica is a hub for planeswalkers and interplanar travel... but that does make it so much easier on me 

[Ershin]

So I've narrowed my choices down to a Selesnya Rogue/Bard to make a character based on the old Fochlucan Lyrist class from 3.5 (which was a weird combo of druid, bard and rogue and... I think gets a mention on Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide somewhere?) though I'm not sure if I'd prefer to run her as a Human or a Centaur (a messenger galloping through the District's streets with parcels and letters in her saddle bags seems to draw me towards that a bit) and possible spy / eavesdropper.
Or an Orzhov Paladin or Cleric of the church of "give me money" - As my first thought of Aarakocra (brought about by this sfw image) would be... questionable at best , I'm wondering what might be interesting to play in the role of a holy debt collector considering their section only lists humans as a suggested race.

[Brittlby]

Makes sense, since Ravnica is a hub for planeswalkers and interplanar travel... but that does make it so much easier on me 

THAT SAID, keep in mind the “cliquish” nature of a lot of the guilds. Additionally, some oddities might draw attention or be mistaken for other races by the general populace.

[Guancyto]

in in in in iiiiiinnnnn

[Pink Professional]

Since I had a day off, and because I am all about adding fuel to the creative fire, here's Kozim in D&D Beyond form, and here is an easy-reference version of his sheet

Name: Kozim, The Steady
Race: Centaur
Class: Barbarian 3 (Totem Warrior of the Wolf)
Guild: The Selesnya Conclave, Initiate (Renown 1)

Stats

HP: 32/32
AC: 13 (Unarmoured)
Speed: 40ft
Stat Array: STR 17 (+3) DEX 12 (+1) CON 15 (+2) INT 8 (-1) WIS 14 (+2) CHA 8 (-1)
Important Saves: STR (+5) DEX (+1 With Adv) , CON (+4)
Important Skills: Animal Handling (+4), Athletics (+5), Nature (+1), Perception (+4), Persuasion (+1), Proficiency with Cooking Tools

Combat Options: Wolf-Totem Rage (Gives advantage to allies' melee attacks against a target within 5 feet of Kozim), Greataxe User (+5 to Hit, 1d12+3 Slashing), Charge and Hooves (If a Centaur move at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hit it with a melee weapon attack on the same turn, you can immediately make a hooves attack as a bonus action. The Hooves attack is a 1d4+3 Bludgeoning weapon)
Non-Combat Options: Spirit Seeker (Can cast Speak with Animals and Beast Sense as Ritual Spells)

Background

Originally 'Kozim' was not called Kozim. He was Ruu'aam, of the Ghor clan of the Gruul. Ruu'aam was a great many things: a young-blood, a savage beast who channelled his rage and his fury into an axe he stole from his first Ravnican kill, a ferocious Hunter who thrived off of the brutality of existence that the Ghor clan provided. In the end though, it was not to be. The Ghor Clan had a habit of getting into battles that were far too intense for their own good, and for pitching their totem-pole far too close to the Civilised realms of Ravnica. Just outside of the Red Wastes of the Fourth District, Ruu'aam was chosen to join a brutal and foolhardy raid into the heavily defended portion of civilisation. It went surprisingly well for a time. Ruu'aam sacked many carts, won himself many prizes in food and trinkets, but witnessed a brutality that shook even he. The slaughter of a Vedelkan boy, barely past the cusp of childhood and looking to make a name for himself in the Prism University, disgusted and moved Ruu'aam. He challenged the warrior who committed the act and, in a fit of anger, marred his face. The attack was a lucky blow, and likely left a sizable scar, but Ruu'aam did not push the assault into a murder. He tore off his pelts, and threw down his symbols of the Ghor Clan, and he left. He left deeper into the city, and as far away from his 'home' as he could.

He was in an Azorious prison mere hours later. His skin was marred with obvious Gruul markings, and he reeked of the Wilderness outside of the City-Plane's many more lived in districts. He had resisted arrest of course,  for that was what Gruul would do. In his mind, he would run wild in the pretty-scapes until someone strong enough killed him. It would be as honourable a death as he deserved, and yet even as he struck out at his would-be arresters and assailants, he seemingly refused the kill. It was suddenly unappealing to kill these people. In every face, he saw the terror of that young boy, slaughtered on his way towards a dream.

He was eventually brought low by a patrol of Boros soldiers and a Lawmage of the Azorious. They saw his rampage, but also his non-existant tally of skulls. Reports and interviews revealed the ease with which he could have taken a dozen scalps if that were his aim. In the end, he was arrested and given into the care of a Healer; specifically a Centaur healer from the guild of Selesnya called Koza.

Koza was a kindly old mare, and saw something in the broken eyes of the savage Centaur. She saw him for what he was; confused, scared, alone, and without purpose. She started to teach him things he'd never learned with the Gruul clans; compassion and serenity, purpose and belonging, and the ideas of a use for his strength that did not have to be monstrous. He served a lenient sentence for his crime - in large part due to the patronage of Koza - and was released a scant nine months later into her care. Not even fifteen summers old at the time, he agreed to join her for a meeting with Koza's own Voda. The dryad was able to sweep away many of the Centaur's doubts, and offered him a choice. He could abandon the Gruul. He could abandon his guilt, and his past, and even his name. All he had to do was accept her help, and accept a place in her Vernadi. At a certain amount of peace, he agreed; becoming Kozim at last, and finding a family once more.

As Kozim, he spent his time studying to catch up to those so far ahead of him. He was slow and stunted in his learning, but he soon picked up the language of Mat'Selesnya, passable levels of writing and reading and - surprisingly - cooking. He found a joy in the act of creation and the utilitarian nature of it all. To this day, he serves as a much more whole member of the Conclave and of the Vernadi that accepted him. Should trouble stir near his home however, and should danger draw close to the Vernadi, he will gladly find his axe, and focus his rage towards its protection.

Contacts:

Selesnyan Ally: Koza, A wise centaur trainer believed in me even though I was a terrible student. She is the one who brought me into the Guild I now know as my family. She offers me advice and criticism even now.

Gruul Rival Agamand, a druid of my former clan, believes I have a destiny to fulfill. Does he resent me now that I have left the Gruul, or does he still think this is part of his prophesied destiny?

'Non-Selesnya' Ally: The Voda Iveta, who is the dryad at the head of my enclave, has taken an interest in my activities. I hope to count her as an ally in the future.

[Muse]

  I like Kozim a lot!  :) 

  It's nice to think of a barbarian who's good at teamwork and leadership. 

[Roen]

I would have loved to join, been looking for a group 5e game, but there's no way I'd be able to read the setting and come up with a character before monday :(.
Awesome teaser, though!

[Muse]

  I'm probably not going to be able to get an application together in time either, but I've started glancing through.  Right now I'm torn between an archetypal Loxodon guy--someone I personally have a lot in common with--or a cute little goblin girl, hyperactive, curious, and tends to blow things up. 

[Brittlby]

  I'm probably not going to be able to get an application together in time either, but I've started glancing through.  Right now I'm torn between an archetypal Loxodon guy--someone I personally have a lot in common with--or a cute little goblin girl, hyperactive, curious, and tends to blow things up.

... I miss my old goblin girl.

[Isengrad]

  I'm probably not going to be able to get an application together in time either, but I've started glancing through.  Right now I'm torn between an archetypal Loxodon guy--someone I personally have a lot in common with--or a cute little goblin girl, hyperactive, curious, and tends to blow things up.

I would suggest the Goblin girl, much fun to be had with that ^^

[Brittlby]

If it helps, here’s a video that gives you a fast and dirty working knowledge of the guilds, common races and landscape.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mZa0HHyKlh4

[Bibliophilia]

There's nothing at all shady or suspicious about House Dimir.  -sunny smile.-

[Chulanowa]

They're just your friendly neighborhood post office!