Three times I have tried this adventure.  Three times I have failed due to player and/or GM attrition (read: I suck).  But this story keeps rattling around my head.  This adventure where a group of low level heroes finds themselves in a perverse, horrifying situation.  This story that I desperately want to share with/inflict upon my players...

This will probably be a single adventure only, though I'm not opposed to the idea of a campaign.

The game will be set in Audalis (which means that magic is fairly uncommon), and will be my typical modified 2E rules. In other words, this is old school stuff. You don't have to be familiar with 2E rules, and I'll be happy to help you create a character. I handle arcane magic a bit differently than the rules as written, so be advised of that.

If you are comfortable rolling up your own stats, please use the "roll 4d6, drop low roll from each set, arrange to taste" method of character creation. I expect higher than average scores, but if you come to me with three 18s, I reserve the right to nerf your character as I see fit.

I need at least four - preferably six - adventurers of third level. Pretty much any class or race is okay, but note that this game takes place in Northeast Ertain - one of the five human kingdoms - so understand that really exotic races would probably be out of place, treated poorly by the populace, etc. I would strongly recommend that each of the four primary roles (warrior, arcane spellcaster, divine spellcaster, rogue) be represented in the party, but that will be up to players themselves. I will consider any alignment, but this adventure is best suited for a party of overall good alignment (I prefer stories about heroes, not villains). I will consider kits, within reason, but reserve the right to change or veto anything that I don't like.

I expect at least one post per week, and would like to make it two. If posting is really fast and furious, I'll post more often as I'm able. Posts should be at least 2-3 short paragraphs. I want to read about emotions, thoughts, etc. "I charge the orcs!" is not an acceptable post.

Please note that this game is *not* first come, first served. To be considered, I need a PM from you with a basic character concept, maybe a personality, brief history, etc. I will pick the ideas that I like best, that I feel will form the best team. To clarify, I need more than a character sheet for you to be considered for this game. In fact, the character sheet is the *least* important piece of it. I need to know who your character is. Why do they adventure? What is their personality? You don't have to give me a full biography, but a bit of history would be good.

On that note, assume that your characters have been an adventuring party for at least a few months. I don't want to waste six weeks posting about meeting in a tavern, and I'm too old and crabby to deal with the moody loner who always works alone and has to be persuaded to help out. I want all questions about party leadership and such hashed out in the Q&A before we start the adventure. Basically, I want to cut out the annoying fluff and get right to the meat of the adventure.

Regarding the adventure itself:

WARNING! This adventure will contain disturbing, adult/horror themes. If you are easily offended, squeamish, or bothered by the macabre, please do not apply. While this game will *not* contain anything truly explicit, the themes prompt me to limit this game to those age 18 and up.

I do not take credit for this adventure; I actually have had this one on my hard drive for years, as it is posted freely online. However, I have adapted it to Audalis, and I have taken the general plot and carried it to some darker, more detailed places. There is a character in this story that literally bothers me, and sadly, this character sprung directly from my twisted imagination.

One final warning: I have a reputation as a killer DM, and to be honest, the reputation is at least somewhat fair. I truly don't go out of my way to kill players, but if you do stupid things ("I charge into the bandit camp alone, using surprise to my advantage!"), well... you made that bed, you get to lie in it. That being said, I *have* killed off players simply because the dice were not kind. Adventuring is dangerous business, and death is a real part of it. If you sign up to play and you die, please don't take it personally.

Okay. Now that I've done my best to scare you off, please let me know if you are interested.

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Edit: approved character concepts will be listed here.

Female half-sylvari Rogue (breebles)
Male human cleric of Therassor (Bromern Sal)
Male kazari fighter (Eol Fefalas)
Female sylvari bladesinger (Reralae)
Male human cleric of solanis (Raven)
Male cidal conjurer (open) - deceased
Male human transmuter (Oz_Magiccity) - deceased

Oooooooooooo! Shiny!

Me thinks I'm going to have to dust off a character concept.

That would be awesome.  Any and all heroes are welcomed to apply!

Obviously, you have the chops to play. 

So, I have a number of 3E characters that I could revert to 2E with your assistance. I thought I had a slew of 2E but they must be on a back-up somewhere and I've not had a chance to dig. Available classes are:

• Cleric
• Bard
• Wizard

I think I'll steer clear of the fighter, ranger, what-have-yous. What preference do you have if any?

Hav no fear as to the rules stuff.  Just give me a concept and I'll help you fill out the sheet (or I'll do it for you). 

I have no preference in regards to class.  Being the first responder mean that you don't have to fit in with anyone else! 

If you pick cleric, please visit the Audalis religion section and pick a deity.  Note that I do handle arcane magic a little differently - mosty, I am far more flexible, as I reuire your mage to study daily, but not to prepare certain spells ahead of time.  I grant multiple cantrips (can't do damage, can't interrupt casting, simply make the caster's life easier) per day.  Mages can also burn life force to cast spells if thy are out of slots (this risks constitution loss and death).

The big thing, again, is concept.  A general idea as to personality, goals, etc. 

*rubs together my grubby little hands*

Definitley interested, let me pull out my old handbook and roll up a 2e character. Austin mentioned he's interested as well, I will send the link along.

The prodigal daughter returns...

also I see Brom responded first, to give a heads up I am rolling a Rogue. I can swap if he wants that class though

Edit: my old username kills me a bit inside, RIP when I wouldn't go by my real names

Nobody has turned in an actual concept yet.  Eol also mentioned fighter or rogue. 

We have our first approved character - the party rogue is in.

Seeing how we're all together already as an adventuring party, I present to you Moreno Gib Enderedre, Cleric of Therassor, God of Righteous Battle.

Moreno Enderedre (going by Gib) is an old soul. He's a bit of an extrovert while at the same time, he's very comfortable withdrawing and observing. The priests at the temple where he was initiated would often commend him for his ability to learn from others' mistakes and not have to repeat them.

Born to a farming family as the oldest of eight, when his younger siblings came of age, Moreno determined to join the Ertain military and satisfy his thirst for adventure in an upright manner. At the time, he really wasn't interested in adventuring as most of what he had heard about that class of people wasn't good. 

Within the military, his pious nature came out and he was assigned to serve beneath a cleric of Therassor by the name of Jamys Anscoul as his personal servant. This suited Gib just fine as he was often out and about with troops on maneuvers while Jamys acted as their spiritual guide. After a six month stint following Jamys, Gib was blindsided when the priest's life was taken by a group of trolls that the troop had come across. He was further dismayed when he was assigned to serve in the Temple of Therassor in the city of Dergeroth, but it is here that he truly flourished. 

Under the tutelage of Regal Iohne Wauter, Gib was truly trained as a Cleric of the Faith. He took to it as though he had been born to it. While he wasn't the top acolyte, or even amongst the top acolytes, he was a favorite due to his good nature and friendliness. He quickly became a confidante for many of his fellow acolytes as he had a way of producing wise anecdotes, stories, and philosophies from scripture, tales he had heard, and a deep font of his own imagination. Because of this, he eventually caught the eye of Captain Dawkin Richarde, a higher-ranking priest of the Faith that was often in and out of the temple due to his proselyting and guiding of the Adventuring class.

At first, Gib was only really interested in Dawkin's stories for the lessons contained within and he was caught by surprise one afternoon when working in the training yard, the Captain asked him if he would consider his calling beyond the temple and outside of military ranks. He was even more surprised when he found himself answering that he would. The next few weeks were a whirlwind as Captain Dawkin worked his influence to get Gib honorably released from military service and the young cleric rushed through the remainder of his cataclysms to graduate from Acolyte to Adept.

Captain Dawkin had promised Regal Wauter that he'd show Gib the ropes and he did just that. As a matter-of-fact, his first "adventure" took the group of individuals Dawkin had gathered together into a cave delve that actually required ropes. Adept Gib found himself eating up the life despite the hardships and trials they faced. Danger became a way he could venerate Therassor and when he faced the enemy in battle he was always quick to do so in honor of the Battle God.

After a few outings, Captain Dawkin declared Gib ready to continue the Work on his own and the two parted company. Gib wouldn't say that Dawkin was a friend, but there was mutual respect. Haunting the usual locations where adventuring groups formed, Gib was soon able to join a new group. They called themselves the Legendary Drakes (not a name Gib voted for) and were led by a fighter named Myghell the Strong. Additionally, there was another swordsman named Bat Auguinare, a wizard named Magdalin Luned, a rogue named Gelen, and a bard named Simmond Ansgot.

The Legendary Drakes were successful as far as adventuring parties go and Gib made hefty donations to the Church of Therassor as he gained more and more knowledge and experience. Simmond was a quick friend and the two shared stories back and forth, jokes, and old tales adding to Gib's mental library. Magdalin also became a fast friend, but it wasn't until Gib's healing skills and divine magic were put to the test saving their lives that Myghell and Bat came around. Gib never could warm up to Gelen and felt sorrier over his lack of grief when the thief was killed by a rampaging owlbear than he should have losing a comrade at arms. The Legendary Drakes continued adventuring minus Gelen's deft hand until they entered a cavern system just outside of the borders of Ertain that proved beyond their skillset. 

Only Gib and Bat emerged, both terribly wounded and grief-stricken over the loss of their friends. Journeying back to Ertain, the pair were beset by bandits and Gib was felled by a vicious blow to the head. When he awoke, he found himself in a camp set by Bat, but the fighter was nowhere to be seen. Searching about for his friend and aware that the warrior had saved his life, Gib was overcome by grief when he found the man dead by a nearby stream having succumbed to his wounds.

Alone, Gib journeyed to Ethryn where he fell upon the mercy of the Priests of Therassor having failed his companions and furthering his god's will. Again, he was surprised when instead of punishing him, he was initiated into the rank of Priest and the Warders of the Gate and sent back out into the world to do as his god would have him do. It was then that he truly understood the sacrifice of his friends meant to his Faith. Therassor looked upon those who gave honest battle with favor and Gib set his mind to the task of continuing to do his friends honor. 

Joining up with a new adventuring group, Priest Enderedre quickly found a new home amongst friends... friends he has been worshipping Therassor with ever since.

By the way, I sent you a Google Sheet, Olan. It's a 3.5 character sheet, but I can't find my AD&D sheets right now. Funny thing is, Gib was created a long time ago for an Audalis adventure that never took off. So, I'll be happy to play him.

Gib is in, no doubt about it.  I'll help get the sheet right, have no fear.

I'm entertaining a kazari mercenary for this, now, as our returned princess has called dibs on the rogue... (I'll save "Mouse" for another time).

I'll do something about putting together a solid concept, today, but, as long as there's no objection to having a kazari in the group, that's where I'll start with Ch'dau.

As long as you're okay with the fact that commoners are going to struggle with what looks like a monster walking around, I'm okay with it!