#loremaster bard

[gideon-half-knowing]

So I suppose y'er eager to hear the tale of GearedFountain, greatest hold of The Volcano of Imprisonment and birthplace of Cog Ekastzas, champion and slayer of Forgotten Beasts

Then pull up a chair (or rock throne) and I'll tell it all and be done. Now keep in mind that back in those days, back in the year 104, things were different, life was smaller, and the dwarves were simpler, yet unaware of the trials they would one day face, but they held within them a spark that would grow into a great flame of industry, just don't tell the elves

It all began as a colony founded near the eastern border of the mother territory, the Volcano of Imprisonment, they were a small nation largely overshadowed by their northern neighbors but that fate was destined to change the day that GearedFountain was founded in the territory of Olenzefon

The early trials of the colony are easy to laugh at now but at the time they stoked the deep fear of the unknown in the peaceful citizens of GearedFountain. Among the early threats was the minotaur, an ugly beast that wandered down from the mountains with a thirst for manblood

It fed greatly from the undefended pasture and in the end it was a lone hero from among the citizens that rose up to strike down the minotaur, while his name was lost to history, his legacy was not, and thus GearedFountain's first soldiering squad was born

Shortly after, GearedFountain's military would repel the first of many sieges against the burgeoning dwarfhold

It was then that the motherland finally recognized the great deeds of GearedFountain and sent an emissary to their people, the emissary recognized the hold as a barony and raised Asmel Eshtanzes to the rank of baroness after much internal deliberation

"Is that when the Forgotten Beast came?" you ask, excited to hear the part of the tale sung by so many bards

"Aye, that be when the beast arrived, it rose from the depths in a tide of fire and smoke that the young barony hardly withstood," the aging loremaster replies, "a terrible sight that still plays before my eyes even today, and one I hope the hold will not see for many a coming year."

Lithene Rinowe, many-legged beast of fire and ash, no one knows from what pit it crawled from but its approach was sighted in the lower caverns sparking fear and panic

This was the first true test of the young barony, the prideful soldiers were overconfident in their numbers and undertrained in their skill, at first they only saw the beast as a new laurel to add to their names

No one was ready for first contact with the enemy, its lungs held an inferno hotter than any smith's forge and it unleashed death upon the narrow corridors of the lower caverns

The first wave was swept away in fire and those that survived fled back through the cavern, their bravado crushed but their spirits still resilient

Solon Gamilton, captain of the guard for four years of service, makes a final stand yet falls in the line of duty

Baroness Asmel recognized the grave threat for what it was and called an emergency draft from among the populace to replenish the tattered army. Many claim that the entire hold owes its current existence to her quick action after Solon's death

Despite the draft, many thought the hold was lost when Luthene breached the dormitory level, its roaring flame consumed many

In the end it was the unlikeliest of heroes that prevailed. A green recruit by the name of Likot charged the forgotten beast in a bloodrage and without even wielding a weapon, bludgeoning Luthene to death with his fists alone

The death count, however, was staggering. What was once a proud fortress of 120 souls had been struck down to a mere 69 (nice). Now was a time of mourning, not victory

But Baroness Asmel vowed to rebuild, she would make GearedFountain stronger than it was before, secure from above and below, and in doing so she would turn this dwarfhold into the greatest that the continent had to offer, that she swore

(hi, I'm breaking narrative character to say that dwarf fortress is quite fun and that you should absolutely play it if you found this ragtag history of my first fortress enjoyable to read)

#dwarf fortress #dwarves #dwarfcore #strategy games #stories

[bolloxtothat]

A sketch of my elf bard, Honeydew. Absolute shit in combat and wastes her good Dex stats entirely on dodging. However, she's the best dang bookeeper/appraiser/entrepeneur/quartermaster/loremaster/negotiator/manager the party ever has. Also tags along with them to learn about the world in her travels.

I might colour her and edit the post as i finish this up

New pix!

#bard #elf #fantasy #cute #doodles #sketch #oc

[thelien-art]

I would be,, Very Interested if you have any more to share 👀,, in hearing more headcanons on Noldorin hair like the ones you put under your Edrahil drawing

I might actually have some more...

There would be three to four braids; age braid, status braid, craft braid, and a holder. There can also be fifth+ braids, ornaments braids, but that´s more of a fashion thing. And then of course the soldier braid that´s only worn on duty or in battle, and a few times in free time, like Edrahil does.

Edrahil

Age braid:

The braid in the front, the age braid, usually put down over the temple, can be used by everyone if they´re of age or noble blood.

The age braid is usually just used to show that someone is of age, but that doesn't mean that they´re an adult. It takes Noldor longer than Sindarin and Avarins to come of age but when either of these groups come of age, they´re still not adults. It is also used by noble families, no matter the age, to show status, so if a child is running around with an age braid that means that they´re of noble blood.

If it is someone working for a noble house, like a servant, they can´t wear both the age and status braid as they could be mistaken for being part of the household by others as the status braid would have to show which house they serve. They can however wear both when they don´t wear the mark of the house they serve.

Status braid:

Maglor´s, for example as I´m working on a drawing with him where the braids are included, status braid got a pendant at the end with the star of Feanor to tell which house he´s from while the age braid, in the front, explains that he´s a noble, not just a servant, so either the leader or a family member of the leader.

Close up on Maglor from the wip showing which braid is which and how it could look.

The status braid is kept behind the ears and usually falls down the back.

Craft braid:

The craft braid is kept at the back of the head, meaning there's only one of them whereas the age and status braid has two, one on each side of the head, which explains not the job, but which path it is.

There are different types of braid for most statuses and categories of jobs, like there´s one braid that tells if the person has political influence, or is a loremaster, which can mean both teacher and librarian or if they´re an artist, not what kind of artist so it could be a bard, painter, etc so usually, there are clips or jewels that say precisely what it is.

The smith has their own braids because they´re so important in Noldor culture.

Holder:

The holder is a braid crown that can both be a simple braid, or a lot of braids woven into each other.

It starts right behind the ear, beside the age braid, and ends at the back of the head where some of it is sometimes let loose and other times put into ornaments braids, but no matter what, it always turns into a part of the craft braid, which means both the status and craft braids are braided from both the hair in the holder and sometimes some loose hair two.

Ornaments:

Usually, hair jewels also help to tell about the person, like ribbons, hairpins, combs etc. but they can also be used as just ornaments. When they´re used as only ornaments smaller extra braids are usually added too and mostly in noble households but not always.

Soldier braid:

Soldier braids are a way to braid hair out of the way; if there’s a fight all soldiers have their hair braided back and pulled into a braided bun, some choose to still have their symbols braids (the ones I´m trying to figure out a system for) out and others only braid some of it into a bun letting some lose, but it is a must to have a braided bun so that others don´t take you for a healer. If in wear of a helmet the bun is just moved down or there´s a small hole on top of the helmet for the bun.

extra note;

Children usually wear plain hairstyles like a normal braid or bubble ponytail which I drew child Caranthir with.

It is optinel to wear braids.

They were usually worn in daily life in Valinor though not always, and when they came to Beleriand it became more of a formal thing they did if something important happened, a party was held, a meeting, a person is of important status (like king or prince) etc. that only a few chose to wear daily.

#headcannon #noldor #noldor hair #tolkien #silmarillion #jrr tolkien #small note this is a loose longer take on it i havent desided yet but this is the thoughts i made over the few weeks ive been thing #when is say an important status like king or prince i mean they dont do it always but do a lot more than a simple lord would #all the more if they show theyre face public #a social presure of sorts #tolkien headcanons #no art just talk

[prince-of-the-comet]

Baldur's Gate 3 Build: The Urge to Theurge

Do you like casting spells? Are you having trouble deciding whether to be an arcane or divine spellcaster? Well, in Baldur's Gate 3, at least, you don't have to. One tiny mechanical change from 5e gives you access to full arcane and divine spellcasting, all in one character.

(Confused by the terminology? Start here!)

Suggested Race: Any. This build does not rely on racial features. Given your lack of skills, any race that can help give you an extra proficiency will give you a little more versatility - Githyanki, Human, Elf/Drow, or Rock Gnome are all good choices.

Starting Class: Cleric (any domain)

Final Level Distribution: Cleric (any domain) 11/WIzard 1

Minimum Level Distribution: Cleric 1/Wizard 1

Recommended Statistics:

Strength: Low to Medium. Your proficiencies don't suck, so Strength will be nice - also, heavy armor is legitimately heavy. 10 is fine.

Dexterity: Medium to dump. Knowledge, Light, and Trickery clerics should aim for 14. Life, Nature, Tempest, and War Clerics should swap Strength and Dexterity - 14 Str/10 Dex - as they will be using heavy armor.

Constitution: Medium to high. Concentration! It's good for you!

Intelligence: Dump. Seriously. You don't need it - yet.

Wisdom: Dependent. You do need this, however.

Charisma: Dump. Go make the warlock talk to people. You have all the power of the Weave to master.

Example starting stats:

Str 10, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8.

Recommended Level Progression:

This one's a bit tricky, since we're waiting on a specific item. Most likely something like this, but feel free to mix it up.

1-3: Cleric

4: Wizard

5-12: Cleric

Variants:

Arcane Hierophant: Druid 11/Wizard 1. This is more or less the same thing, but with slightly less utility and wild shape.

Ultimate Magus: Sorcerer 11/Wizard 1. Swap Wisdom and Charisma. Most of the versatility of a wizard, plus metamagic and Constitution saving throw proficiency? Yes please.

Loremaster: Bard 11/Wizard 1. Swap Wisdom and Charisma. True, it's wizard-only, but that spellbook is the next best thing to Magical Secrets.

Detailed Level Progression:

1: Cleric 1. We're starting as non-wizard for the gear. (An Ultimate Magus starts as Sorcerer for the critical Con save proficiency). Start hoarding scrolls. These will be useful later.

2-?: Keep going as a cleric until you reach the Blighted Village. We're looking for Lump the Enlightened. Lump has eaten a warped headband of intellect. That's the key to this build. Get him killed, then take the headband. Now you're ready.

?: Wizard 1. Put the headband on. Your next level is Wizard. Make a note of all the cantrip and 1st level scrolls you know, and all of the spells that are accessible via your other class (they will be outlined in green). Avoid all of those. Now go through your scroll collection and add all the spells you can to your spellbook. Since you're probably at lest level 3 by now, you'll note you can learn 2nd level wizard spells.

This is the key rules change: a wizard can scribe spells into their spellbook of the highest level spell slot they have available, not the highest level spell slot available to them from wizard alone. So yes, you'll be able to get fireball.

You will only ever be able to prepare 4 wizard spells (1 level + 3 Int bonus), but you can re-prepare them at will, so it's best to make them count. Avoid long rest buffs like mage armor and longstrider, which have to remain prepared in order for the buff to last, and take summoning spells, like find familiar, which don't.

?-12: Cleric. You're one level behind now on your Cleric casting, but your CL is still full. So at odd character levels, you'll gain the ability to cast the next level of wizard spells, and even character levels, one level behind, you get your cleric spells. Make sure to always have a scroll of the next level spell, so you can learn it as soon as possible, and have something to use that high level spell slot on. Your feats should always be either War Caster or Wisdom ASI. You don't need anything else.

Items of interest:

Warped Headband of Intellect - Wilderness, Blighted Village. You need this. It makes the build go. Don't leave the Wilderness without it.

Melf's First Staff - Underdark, Myconid Colony. Your spell save DCs aren't going to be ideal, especially not on your wizard spells - a mere 17 at level 10. Make up for it with items with Arcane Enchantment or High Spellcasting, of which this is the first one available.

Half-plate/Full Plate - various locations. You want the heaviest armor you can wear, as fast as you can find it. In Act 1, that's probably Githyanki Half-Plate; by Act 2, heavy armor builds should upgrade to Flawed Helldusk or Adamantine Splint. Leave the exotic materials to rangers and archers.

Ketheric's Shield - Moonrise Towers. Arcane Enchantment, again, and your shield proficiency means you can use it.

Cloak of the Weave - Lower City, the Devil's Fee. Arcane Enchantment, the third. 20 is a much better save DC, don't you think?

#baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 builds

[tkwrtnewsfeed]

Newsfeed #133 May 2, 2023 (2 Lótessë)

You are about to read the Legolas origin story shortly. But first, a few notes. (You didn't think you'd have to do homework first, did you?)

So, anyway, that story is found in two places 1) @trenarnolegolaslasgalen (regular version), and 2) @tkwrtrilogylasttale (extended version). The extended version combines plot points from the extended version of his father's story.

(Yeah, this guy. The subject of Book II: The Saga of Thranduil @tkwrtrilogy and @tkwrtrilogy2, and the extended version @extendedtkwrtrilogyend). Oh, now you remember. Moving on.

Now, back to Legolas. The story begins today. Yay! I will not go into the details of how hard it was to get what is going up first done, but it was more harrowing than the first season of Rings of Power (or so I've been told). For those who read the books on WordPress, we're fixing that due to the minor hiatus Book I is going through.

Oh, in case you didn't know about Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen (@tkwrtrilogy3), it takes place during this part except in actual Middle-Earth (Arda/Endor). We're almost nearing the end of the First Age, so we're WAY ahead of the television show. To be fair, I started this book in 2015, so I had a head start. Now, back to Legolas.

Yes, this book will take him on the Fellowship--just as soon as he grows up. Just so you know, he's going to do a lot of growing up like his father did in his story. I mean, it IS an origin story. Also, some things from his dad's story will overlap. It's supposed to do that. It's a generational family epic set in Middle-Earth. Uh, yeah. 🤪

Now for those that often read this on WordPress--it's coming. We have to set it up for the pause between the middle of Book I and the beginning of Book III: The Last Tale of Legolas Lasgalen*.

For those that don't know: There are actually TWO Legolas' in Tolkien (the first one makes his appearance in Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen). He is an elf from Gondolin and his name is Legolas Greenleaf. Oropher (whose story got preempted by my family pulling a Jamie Spears on me--later about that) knew the first Legolas. Can't imagine how it got transferred to this Legolas (yet 🤫).

Wait! There's more (that you'll have to wait until after I post the first excerpt of Book III: The Last Tale of Legolas Lasgalen). I'm sure you'll like it.

Yeah, so enjoy what is about to be a really long book. 😁

And don't forget, after this one, there are 3 other books:

The Song of Seven Rivers (the story of Legolas' mother) @tkwrtsongofsevenrivers

Of Lords & Kings: The Legacy of Dale (about the Bardings) @oflordsandkingstkwrtbook

And coming soon (or eventually) is Loremasters: The Keepers of the Tales. (TBA)

Yeah, I think we're done here--for now.

*Lasgalen is Greenleaf in Sindarin (and Sindarin is Quendi for Grey Elven Language).

#tkwrtnewsfeed #the official tkwr trilogy #the last tale of legolas lasgalen #based on tolkien #welcome back to middle earth #writers on tumblr #in honor of tolkien #writers on instagram #writers on wordpress #books #novels #epic fantasy #announcements

[carminite-wyrm]

So I watched Lizzie's Empires SMP: the Musical, and proceeded to get brainrot in regards to the final fate of the Copper King. Enjoy.

They say that the Copper King went missing long before the end. All the tales, all the records, every single account still surviving from the days of the end of the Thirteen Great Empires, all spoke of his disappearance, the first of the Rulers to fall. The bards and scholars from as far afield as where frost-laden Rivendell once stood, to those closer by in the dried-out ruins of the Codfolk’s homeland, might bear conflicting beliefs regarding the fates of most of the rulers of old. They might disagree upon the accuracy of the popular folk epic of the Ocean Empire, and its many retellings and dramatisations, or perhaps the accounts of explorers venturing into the forsaken depths of the jungle within which the fabled Lost Empire reputedly stood.

But none of them disagreed upon the fate of the Copper King.

In the years and decades since the event now known to some as the Fall, to others the Rapture, and a whole host of other names and titles, all knew that while some of the Emperors and Empresses had fled, others had perished, and some simply found themselves a fate worse than simple death, Pixandria’s Copper King had simply…vanished.

Vanished, leaving his kingdom untouched, no longer an Empire, of course, but its people were left unharmed in the wake of the great disaster that signalled the end of that era. A haven for many in the aftermath, and in the present day, a place often visited for its timeless appearance, its sandstone and copper unchanged and unaffected by the ravages of time and fate that had since rendered all the other Great Empires to the dust and dirt that they had first arisen from.

And indeed, the city continues to attract many a foreign scholar or loremaster, all hoping that Pixandria’s own Vigilkeepers would be able to provide them with further insight, but all who venture for such answers to their own lands and homes return with naught but solemn agreement. And all throughout the lands know that Keepers of the Vigil would not lie before the ever-burning lights of their most sacred monument.

Here is what no one other than the Vigilkeepers of Pixandria know, they who tend the Vigil’s candles and who each bear a fragment of the Copper King’s powers so that they may attend to their sworn duties:

The Copper King Pixlriffs of Pixandria, the First Keeper of the Vigil, He Who Harnessed The Storm, never died.

He vanished, disappeared, went missing.

But he never left his Empire.

It is the secret to Pixandria’s continued existence, the ancient magics that bound all Rulers to their Empires, and brought them all to greatness and ruin.

All except for Pixandria, whose Ruler still remains.

The story of what happened is whispered only to those who pledge themselves to the Vigil, to keep the candles of the dead alight in remembrance, those blessed (and cursed) with the Sight and Wisdom of Death that the Vigil’s light grants.

Pixlriffs, King of Pixandria, has always possessed Sight.

It is, like most forms of prophecy and foresight, a fickle talent. For one whose sacred duties as Vigilkeeper required one to know of every death, of every passing, so that they may light the candles before the Vigil, Sight comes as visions, of peals of understanding and knowledge. The Sight of the modern Pixandrian Vigilkeepers is of a far lesser strength compared to that of the First Vigilkeeper, for this duty has since become a shared one, and Sight now only comes once the sacred oaths are sworn.

But in the days of the Thirteen Great Empires, the Copper King was the First and Only Vigilkeeper, and his Sight was unmatched in its strength and depth.

The Pixandrians of the era did not know when the Copper King’s last vision began. However, all knew of the day that he was found, standing before the shrine of thunder, the nexus of the power that banished a great demon from the lands of Pixandria.

Lost amongst whatever it was that his Sight had deigned to show him, unaware of all that was around and before him.

There are many theories as to what his last vision is, for it is still ongoing.

Those who found their King believed, after the Fall of the other Empires, that he is still watching all of those who died, the terrible loss of life holding him in thrall.

Or perhaps it was the Vigil itself, ancient power that it is, that had for all intents and purposes, attempted to save its favoured Ruler from his inevitable downfall, snatching away his mind and soul and consciousness so that the Empires’ fell fate would not be able to find him.

The more poetic ones amongst the Vigilkeepers of the modern day like to believe that the Vigil shelters the Copper King’s soul in its Sight, so that Pixandria may still stand, eternal like the body that now lies in still repose before that hidden shrine, protected by the greatest amongst the Vigilkeepers’ numbers.

No matter which of these may be the truth, all Vigilkeepers know one more thing, one certain fact that both Sight and basic logic can give them.

Should the Copper King ever return, should he ever find his way back from the all-encompassing waves of his Sight…Pixandria would at last join its fellow Empires, returning to the sands of the desert.

But until then, the Vigilkeepers of Pixandria can only say one thing, on the matter of the Copper King’s fate.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Copper King Pixlriffs has long been missing, and that is all anyone can say.

#empires smp #empires smp fic #pixlriffs #empires smp the musical #carminite writes #i've actually been having Thoughts regarding the final fate of the Copper King #and then got absolutely inspired by Lizzie's wonderful musical #'Pix's long been missing' is somehow such a good line omg #so anyways here's my take on giving the missing copper king a fate worse than death 👍

[silversiren1101]

🥊: best part of combat? worst part of combat?, 🛡: favourite build, or party setup?, ❤️: any npcs you liked, or even wished you could romance?

🥊: best part of combat? worst part of combat?

So I actually love combat in these games, lol, but I do have specific enemies that I just loathe encountering and specific encounters that are just trash.

The stuff with the woundwyrm is just not fun no matter how much you prebuff. Getting caught on the openworld map and all you can do is run around until she flies away and hope no one dies just sucks. Threshold is just terrible at the end with all the gallu stormcallers. Vavakias in general are horrible enemies that pierce through fear resistance?!

Still, I love when a custom build just comes together. I'm playing on Challenging right now and the early levels are wrecking my shit but I'm pushing through. Feels like solving an ultimate puzzle.

🛡: favourite build, or party setup?

My ideal party!

Minovae: Fighter 20/ HK 4/ Bard 16. Shield bash based two-weapon fighter with ridiculous AC, a gazillion attacks, and her bard song to keep her friends up and fighting. LOTS of teamwork feats to wreck house with her beloved.

Regill: HK 2-3/Fighter rest of the way. Depends on how I'm feeling for the specific build. Regardless he's full armor feats, dex to attack and damage hooked hammer for a million attacks. LOTs of teamwork feats for the same reasons above!

Nenio: Wizard 10/Loremaster 10. Fully into maxed out illusion school DCs and spell favoritism on Weird and Phantasmal killer. Mythic feats buffing the shadow schools since they're evocation/conjuration but count as Illusion and thus used her maxed DCs.

Daeran: Oracle 20. No reason to multiclass him he's VERY good as is. Give him extra mystery of Bones for Bone Armor to make him tougher, focus on Conjuration and Necromancy. Ultimate undead slayer (that map with all the Bodaks on it? Or the room with Kestoglyr? DESTROYED), and also some juicy extra damage from some of the offensive necromancy spells and saves. You can lean a little into summons too with this if you like!

Arueshalae: Skald 20. Yes I use the respec mod on her, but skald fully fits her personality and story and being able to give all of my martials Pounce is so amazingly strong and hilarious. Mostly focused on buffing and rage songs. Give her Sense Vitals and have her use a starknife for full flavor.

Wenduag: So many builds for her... whether it's the Cult Leader War Priest or Rowdy Rogue or Demonslayer Ranger though... she's always rocking the dual throwing axes. Unstoppable war machine. Beloved beloathed. Never not a party pillar.

❤️: any npcs you liked, or even wished you could romance?

LET ME KISS A HELLKNIGHT OKAY IT CAN BE REGILL OR YAKER IDGAF BUT I WANT THAT BLACK ARMOR RATTLING ABOUT SOME QUAKY KNEES.

#wotr

[prestigious-subclasses]

Core Subclasses

Already Subclasses

Arcane Archer

Arcane Trickster

Assassin

Eldritch Knight

Horizon Walker

Arguably Already Subclasses

Blackguard - Oath of Conquest Paladin

Mystic Theurge - Arcana Domain Cleric; we'll go the other way and make it a wizard.

Loremaster - College of Lore Bard

Shadowdancer - Way of Shadow Monk

Dragon Disciple - Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer

Arguably Already In 5e

Archmage - Just a high level wizard; might make it some sort of generalist wizard

Hierophant - Just a high level cleric

Duelist - Dueling fighting style, duelist feat

Complicated Subclasses

Dwarven Defender - Racial sublasses aren't a thing in 5e, so it needs a new name. A Mountain Defender is a Fighter subclass based on protecting allies and tanking damage.

Red Wizard - Definitely a bad guy class with a bit of a lack of focus, and an emphasis on fighting in groups of class members. A Red Wizard of Thay is a Wizard subclass that uses necrotic powers to support allies and let allies support them.

New Subclasses, Uncomplicated

Thaumaturgist - A Thaumaturgist, or perhaps better called an Outer Planes Domain Cleric, infuses their summoned creatures with the essence of the planes. A cleric analogue to the Circle of the Shepherd druid.

#d&d 5e #d&d 3.5 #conversion

[hydralisk98]

Nucleus of "character" agents for the '16 power 12' galaxy

('Servitor', 'Blackhand' and 'Her Camera' are set in the wider world of Angora, a alternative world to ours with many similarities and some key divergences. It is not the only world in the larger meta-narrative 16^12 but definitely a major focus, explaining the rest of the "galaxy" can wait by far)

Protagonist & narrative focus

Klara 'Olive' Kér, Shoshoni female Oracle of Time, also Enlightened Philosopher + Seer (self-insert);

"Triad / control group"

Konstanz Blackhand, Chronomancer & Archaeologist & Clocksmith from times far far ahead, interfacing with "solarpunk Angora" future historians and lead Servitor grid modules;

Ava 'Nova' Kér, the synthetic Dandy, Camera-lady & Arbiter, social interpreter for Klara Kér and interfaces with Nil too;

"Nil", 2nd person singular perspective, customizable role agent embedded into the meta-narrative, quite vague & responsive to user input purpose but most likely interface with Ava from this Earth, linking to the last six centuries of history (1440s-2020s) and to themselves;

Antagonist (here she is not a flat vilain / nemesis, probably more akin to a anti-hero / rival with some shared and many conflicting goals with Klara 'Olive' Kér)

Irma Milan, initally a Hexcrafter Magus & Code Runner Ranger before becoming a governor of the Shoshoni senate, with eldtrich & demons & devils relationships akin to human contractors within "Helluva Boss"; Still incredibly nuanced and multi-dimensional as all sapient agents are, just got a interesting flavor and backstory with such darker entities.

Historical background characters for Angora (early-on still but not in the first few chapters)

Theodora Rose, , ; (Theodore Roosevelt equivalent, connected to the alternate history strongest divergence point)

Cleo Hugues, , ; (Charles Hugues, connected to the alternate history strongest divergence point)

Terrance Fairbanks, , ; (Charles Fairbanks, connected to the alternate history strongest divergence point)

[ I got some explaining to do here, my constructed world is heavily inspired by many things and amongst them being this, https://youtu.be/hLiI6kXZkZI ; And as such to explain some of the later stages better to the audience, which is also "Nil" btw, I feel like a short political scene that shows how Woodrow Wilson never got elected ever in this world is quite key / useful knowledge to better understand the present day in Angora. More details in my other threads in the #maskutchew tag I curate, https://hydralisk98.tumblr.com/archive/tagged/maskutchew ; Thanks. ]

Side characters

Pan 'Arya' Blackhand, Musketmaster Gunslinger, ;

Micha 'Hagekh' Magnavox, Faceless Vigilante & Masked Performer Bard, ;

Sasha Blackhand, Tinkerer Alchemist, ;

Shun 'Xen' Suni, Cartomancer & Winter Witch, ;

Magali Soler, Preservationist & Witchguard, ;

Gustav 'Leo' Vanguard, Chemist & Herbs Physician, ;

Ursae 'Maskoch' Eike, NonBinary Dreamweaver Witch, also True Polymorph with much honesty and sweetheart vibes for once (quite a differing, warmer hearted take to most media shapeshifters, ain't it?);

Karl "Iwa" Deo, Hussar Cavalier, ;

Franz Ferdinand, Heavily Armored Fighter & Cavalier, ;

Engelo, Angelfire Apostle & Mystic + Theologian, ;

Persephone, Iron Priest & Stoic Caregiver, ;

Abe Nirvana, Skinshaper Druid + Zen Archer & Black Asp Monk, ;

Family relatives & the author placeholder stand-in

Falah Becker, mother of Klara;

Gustav Hayden, father of Klara;

Deno Hayden, twin brother of Klara;

Wyatt Hayden, masculine younger sibling to Klara;

Astra 'Zera' Petra, Loremaster Steward and Royalist (think of a contemporary times female 'Pedro II' of Brazil), GameMaster & Pseudo-Author-sona?;

Total: ~20-25 agents in the meta-narrative to be tinkered with. Probably shown and explored with different story chapters, stages and tiers of narrative exploration.

#maskoch #maskutchew #servitor #yep a character dump for TTRPGs and more #CC0 material right there

[oldschoolfrp]

Do you mind?  I’m trying to read here.  --  Loremaster bards add important nonweapon proficiencies to the party.  (Terry Dykstra, AD&D 2e The Complete Bard’s Handbook, TSR, 1992)

#D&D #Dungeons & Dragons #Terry Dykstra #bard #loremaster bard #trolls #troll #dungeon #The Complete Bard's Handbook #adventuring party #dnd #Dungeons and Dragons #TSR #AD&D 2e #D&D 2e #recorder #musical instrument #torch #runes

[jodywegner]

Inktober Day 4! Major Arcana 9: The Hermit

Society 6

#Inktober #inktober2018 #Illustration #tarot #loremaster #bard

[erynalasse]

Fingon and Finrod are both terrifyingly competent war bards, but at equal and opposite things. And Maglor, for all his musical genius, is barely competent at this one skill.

Everyone expects Maglor to be the most talented battle singer when they’re figuring this out—including himself. In Aman, in peacetime, he’s widely accepted as the finest singer, harpist, and composer of the Noldor. Even Finrod and Fingon, accomplished musicians by any other standard, don’t question this. Maglor can wring tears from the most stoic master bard with his achingly beautiful voice. But after the first few Orc raids in Beleriand, never mind the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, it’s clear this does not extend to battle. Maglor is best at inspiring sorrow. This is excellent when you need to write the tragic downfall of your people to let them weep for their many losses. It’s less useful for helping allies or slaying Orcs.

Fingon, though, is the best at inspiring hope in his own forces. He never tells anyone so, but he discovers this in the mountains of Thangorodrim by coaxing his lost cousin to sing back to him. Fingon can hum the exhaustion from your limbs and sing the pain from your bruises, and he can give you the strength to push forward for a final charge. What annoys everyone else is how spontaneous and genuine it all is; if Fingon’s sudden battle compositions were contrived, they wouldn’t be half as effective. Maglor was known to grouse about Fingon showing him up when his nonsense refrain for the Dagor Aglareb—Our lances keen with deadly sheen / with ardor fierce, our foes to pierce!—caught on better than Maglor’s own elegant anthem.

Finrod is an unholy terror to enemies on the battlefield, and the Orcs flee before his song. He is a son of Eärwen of Alqualondë, twice as much Lindar as he is Noldor. Finrod’s mother was the finest loremaster of their clan’s ancient chants against the Dark, first crafted at Cuiviénen and perfected on the Great Journey. He learned them from her, and then he did them better. Finrod has lessons from Melian on how an elf can channel the Song’s chords for best effect, and he takes to it with deadly competence. Finrod could sing dread into the enemy’s heart and a tremor into their hands on their weapons. Golden, laughing, kind Finrod never raised his voice in song against another elf—but when he cast away his crown for Beren, they say you could catch the edges of terror from seeing his sharp-toothed smile.

(There are not many who knew Maglor, Fingon, and Finrod all well enough to compare them. But those who can whisper how tragically misplaced these talents were. Perhaps Fingon could have woven a more compelling song of hope against Sauron. Perhaps Finrod’s chants of terror could have driven away even a Balrog better than Fingon’s hope for a false dawn. And it was cruel of Eru to give Maglor a gift for sorrow, when he had eternity to sing of it to the waves, with naught but the wind’s wail for a duet.)

#my post #tolkien #silmarillion #maglor #finrod #fingon #I don’t think we talk enough about these three harpist cousins #also #maglor @ fingon after the dagor aglareb #‘seriously fingon nobody believes you meant your lance only’ #fingon is just 😧

[polutrope]

Hello! This is where I share my Silmarillion writing, post occasional musings, and reblog the wonderful thoughts, art, and writing of other creators. I'm insane about Daeron and Maglor, all those in their orbits, and the themes on which they converge (music, storytelling, fate and free will, and water-adjacent wanderings). I post and reblog mature content.

My Writing (AO3 | SWG)

There are three main reasons I love writing fic: to engage with the text’s themes and lore; to laugh and be ridiculous (sometimes also engaging with themes and lore); and to make characters bang each other (sometimes also engaging with themes and lore).

So, the best way I've figured out to sort my writing is by Thoughtful, Funny/Warm, and Smutty.

Thoughtful

Mightiest of the Children (G, 400 words). Feanor and Manwe at the End of the World.

And She Vanished (G, 400 words). Melian seeks the guidance of Yavanna after the death of Thingol.

Solace (E, 400 words). Orodreth/Túrin, identity and leadership angst.

On Such a Night as This (G, 1k). A moment between Elwe and Finwe on the shores of Cuivienen.

Illuminating Now and Dark Hath-been (G, 1k). Maglor encounters the great Mannish bard Dírhaval at the Sack of Sirion.

His Hour Had Come (G, 1.3k). Saeros' daughter reflects on the life and actions of her father.

King of beech and oak and elm (G, 1.4k). Thingol contemplating the wall reliefs in Menegroth and his relationship with Lúthien.

And She Forgave His Betraying Word (T, 1.5k). Queerplatonic Daeron + Lúthien, just before her escape from Hírilorn. 

A Breath of Memory (G, 1.6k). Daeron & Pengolodh on Tol Eressëa, memories of Lúthien. 

Friendship and Stern Demand (G, 1.8k). The letters between Maedhros and Elwing before the third kinslaying. 

The Marks That Bind Us (T, 1.8k). Celegorm/Original Female Character. Celegorm meets a Nando in Ossiriand. They are more alike than it seems. 

Beyond the Mist of Words (M, 2.1k). Daeron/Maeglin. Eldritch mindsex. Daeron Eluvion. 

Who Shall Release Us? (G, 2.3k). Maedhros is reembodied and must come to the terms with the absence of Maglor. 

Iron Cleaver (M, 2.7k). Curufin/Eol, spite and sentient (or not) blades. 

Ungoliant's Bane (G, 3.1k). Eärendil tells his boys a heroic tale of his journeys, and later they share the story with Maglor. 

If You Are the Healer (E, 4.6k). Maedhros/Maglor at Mithrim. Guilt, trauma, loyalty, love and all the blurry lines that connect them. 

Who By Fire (M, 4.9k). Amrod/Fingolfin, working through trauma in the messy Mithrim-era way. 

Scorched (E, 4.9k). Elrond/Maedhros, Maedhros/Maglor. Gothic psychosexual unfamily drama.

A Secret Chord (E, 6.6k). Angst and Love. Daeron/Maglor. Two broken bards get a last blissful night together. With fanart by navyinks. If you like: romantic smut, doomed relationships, finding joy amid the ruin.

Hearken Still Unsated (M, 15.5k). Angst and Love. Daeron/Maglor. Visions, nature, the beauty and tragedy of immortality, fate and free will, suffering and, eventually, a happy ending. If you like: love, angst, descriptive language, Tolkien's philosophy, deep contemplation, abundant water symbolism.

Funny and/or Warm

A Singer of Old (G, 900 words). Lindir is not Maglor, but he's also not Lindir.

A Gift (G, 900 words). Because he was born blind, Maglor's gift for Song is unique.

A Challenge (M, 1.5k). Daeron/Maglor. Mereth Aderthad drunken fluff fade-to-black with accompanying fanart.

✓ Seen (M, 1.8k). Daeron/Maglor. They read fanfiction about themselves.

Envy (G, 1.9k). A young, dramatic Maglor and an older, equally dramatic Elemmírë and their petty jealousy of the other.

The Spacious Starlight (G, 2k). Beleg/Mablung fluff.

Beacon (E, 2.3k). Eärendil/Elwing, tender pregnant sex.

Underhanded (E, 2.3k). Celegorm/Finrod public handjob and double entendres.

First Contact (T, 2.7k). Shortly after the unexpected release of Fëanor, Daeron finally reaches out to Maglor. Daeron/Maglor and the ultimate meeting of loremasters.

Roughing It (M, 3k). Angrod/Caranthir. Years of the Trees, jungle setting, two aggressive half-cousins taking the edge off.

Laughing All the Way (T, 3.2k). Yule shenanigans in Valinor and the unlikely friendship between Maglor and Turgon.

She Whom He Had Loved (T, 3.2k). Finrod/Maglor, Amarië/Finrod. Young Findaráto gets kissing lessons. 

Snakes and Ladders (E, 4.6k). Finrod/Maglor, Galadriel/Maglor. Years of the Trees masquerade sex comedy.

The Magic Flute (M, 6.7k). Caranthir/Daeron. Filthy jokes and gratuitous mockery of some of my favourite characters.

A Song for Change (G, 8.5k). A mysterious elf child enters the lives of Daeron and Maglor and they change the course of the 21st century.

The Seven Trials of Fingon the Valiant (T, 10.4k), co-authored with Melesta. All seven sons of Fëanor fall for and attempt to woo Fingon.

What Happens at Camp Eglarest, Stays at Camp Eglarest (T, 22.4k). Modern AU making fun of both millennials and canon. Daeron/Maglor, Beren/Lúthien, and Celegorm & Huan

Smutty

Sex Is Fun. Series of all my fun and consensual smut including Fëanor/Nerdanel, Fingon/Maedhros/Maglor, Daeron/Lúthien/Maglor, Daeron/Lúthien, Finrod/Maglor, Galadriel/Lúthien, Daeron/Finrod/Mablung/Maglor.

Ficlets

Silmarillion Phrase Prompts featuring all the Fëanorians, Finrod, Daeron, and various other Finwëans and Sindar. Almost all 300 - 1000 words.

Twists and Turns, collection of assorted prompt fills, mostly under 500 words.

Reference

Maglor Biography for the Silmarillion Writers' Guild.

Collections/Recs

Daeron | Daeron/Maglor

Art

Greek vases

I sometimes post fics under disastrousexpense.

Post updated Nov/25/23.

#my fic #pinned post

[chrissamberpit-blog]

Here's the thing. I'm a bard. I've got a dry-erase marker. The DM had it coming from the beginning. #dungeonsanddragons #5e #map #randomactsoffun #bard #loremaster #rogue #arcanetrickster #characters #twins https://www.instagram.com/p/BxDcV4bFABh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pu9yocspl927

#dungeonsanddragons #5e #map #randomactsoffun #bard #loremaster #rogue #arcanetrickster #characters #twins

[nerimaha]

OCtober2020 day 18 • Bard • Nelos Ralvos

"Bards are loremasters and storytellers. They crave adventure for the wisdom and insight to be gained, and must depend on sword, shield, spell and enchantment to preserve them from the perils of their educational experiences."

Nelos rely on his voice in much the same way he rely on poisons and sharp blades. And he actually sings pretty damn good ^^

[patreon || commissions || ko-fi]

#Dunmer #Morrowind #morrowind fanart #the elder scrolls 3 morrowind #The Elder Scrolls Morrowind #the elder scrolls #tes 3 morrowind #tes 3 #my oc #original character #digital art #digital artist #artist on tumblr #artober 2020 #artober #OCtober #october challenge #october 2020 #not my oc

[ask-vaal-hazak]

I just left a homebrew dnd campaign I've a message for new DM's

If your running a campaign for 2 ppl and there level 3 do not throw cr 6 and 9 monsters at them. For the love of the divine do not.

Extremely fustrating and deadly. And dont use the monsters from a homebrew forum bc it just sounds cool. Bc that "cool" cr 6 hag going against a lv3 party with multiple attack. Multiple spell cast and spell immunity and able to polymorph into any creature it wants at will is devastating.

Just to rant here. I lost 3 characters in 1 hour. My lv 3 barbarian (minotaur zelot). My battlemaster (centaur) and my wizard (yuan ti)

To be a dm ya have to balance and make sure every fight isnt designs to just upright kill ppl at the start bc. 5d12 worth of dmg with multiple attack on a hag or any creature. Is friggin broken.

There no way in hell a monster for a party of 2, level 3 adventures should hit for 5d12 (3 times) and be able to cast 2 spells (at will without using a spell slot) EVERY ROUND. And on top of that have a movement speed of 90 and an ac of 23. (I asked the dm to let me see what he was using and thers more. Swim of 30, fly of 300 ect this is pretty much a god with its stats but the cr says 6. It dosent even feel like a 6. More like a lv 20 broken sack of crap)

This is the reason there are tutorial guides in the book(s) and youtube to show you why you should look at cr then your players levels b4 u design an encounter.

I cant describe how fustrating it was to see my barbarian. Who I spent 5hours making just get tapped lightly and die. Bc 48 hp at lv 3 and taking well over 10 pts of dmg bc apparently she crit me on all attacks and only did like 1 attack to our female player (for 2 dmg with a level 6 scorching ray [its bs] ) was "Fair bc your a barbarian and should be able to tank this EASILY" (quote the dm.)

If there is a way to piss off players it's this and having a game were you get railroaded so hard it's a traveling trip with skill checks with a minimum of 18-20 to notice something like a bear on the road when the weather is CLEAR and everyone is PAYING THE HELL ATTENTION ON A BANDIT HIGHWAY. Not to mention the SCREAMS OF A CYCLOPS AS IT LITERALLY SMASHES INTO THE CARAVAN ACROSS A PLANE WITH A FEW TREES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

Oh and let me not forget the NPCS WHO WANT TO SLEEP WITH EVERYONE BC THEY THINK THERE HOT AND DESERVE A NICE HOT MEAT ROD FOR THEIR SERVICES OF INTRODUCING THEMSELVES.

*Facepalm* my god....oh and if your thinking

"GEE-WILLY Mr. Person surely it couldnt be that bad?" This guys campaign was pretty much parappa the rapper, jojo bizarre adventures, bloodborne, Resident evil and memes.

I had a character who came in and apparently they caused the world to have wormholes? (Somehow) and referenced it everytime we played even when that character died. In session one. Bc apparently a company named (I kid you not) Shoe Rack was the equivalent of resident evil's umbrella cooperation. Complete with a drow leader and a litch bookkeeper who turned everyone into zombies to work for free while they apparently made diamonds to sell for millions of gold and keep the workers working g for 1 copper every month. Only giving gold to ppl that would sleep with them.

Not to mention apparently everyone in this world had magic resist or spell immunity to everyone except to females. And when I made a female char apparently that rule became I valid and it was just a straightforward

Me: does a 17 hit?

Dm: well it would but .... *they grin*

Me: but?

Dm: they use a special ring to catch the spell and cast meteor swarm on you point blank.

Me: well they get hit too I just stabbed them with a dagger.

Dm: no you see it's a SMALL METEOR THAT ONLY HITS THE PERSON THAT HIT THEM

Me: so they and my teammate. Who has literally been stabbing them are fine?"

Dm: yes

Me (takes like 589 pts of dmg and is ded)

Dm: the litch turns to you and asks if you want a cup of coffee.

Female player: umm sure?

Dm: whoo-yeah. Combat over you get 500 go and a date with the litch.

Me: I'm sorry what?

Female player: umm...ok. awsome.

Me: ......ok cool so I'll just bring in-

Dm: no that's cool the litch revives yorubas a female zombie slave.

Me: why?

Dm: and you need to have sex to keep yourself alive.

Me: yeah no. I'll just bring in my centaur battle master

1 hour later

Dm: you take umm..let's see *rolls dice.*

Me: (waiting)

Dm: *rolls a shit ton more dice*

Me: (waiting)

Dm: oh oh no *grins*

Me: (takes 40 dmg) I'm still up

Dm: how?

Me: I have 48 hp....I'm still up

Dm: ok it's your attack I guess.

Me: rolls a nat 1 "ok I guess I have disadvantage on my next att-"

Dm: rolls a d100 and a d10 (the percentile)

Me: what are you doing?

Dm: rolling for severity of your fail. Btw how much dmg does your lance do?

Me: it does 1d12 dmg and why are you using severity. That's not in 5e and you said we-

Dm: as you fail you accidentally stab yourself in the throat as your spear hits a rock and you take *rolls dice* 35 pts of dmg

Me: ok I'm out that's bs. Number one and two I have a lance and thers no way I can do 35 dmg. I get about 24 dmg on a crit and 28 if I use my racial feature to kick a person at max with a crit.

Dm: oh your just being salty, you dont play fair!

Me: excuse me?

Dm: ALL YOU DO IS PLAY SPELL CASTWRS AND THATS CHEATING!

Me: bc everyone has spell immunity for some reason or only takes 1/4 the dmg. I'm pretty much useless and am being fored to play melee unlike our LOREMASTER BARD who got an item to DOUBLE HER DMG AND SPELL SLOTS AND CRIT ON A 15 PERMANENTLY (this is the female btw)

Dm: well maybe you should have slept with the litch

Me: she literally found that item in a store for like 3 silver and when I looked (with a 17 arcana check) I found a rusty dagger and a flask of poisoned potion.

Dm: well maybe roll higher?

Female player: umm I rolled like a 10 and found this that's kind of cool but I dont think it's fair. But o wanna keep my items

Dm: ugh fine. You keep yours. Ummm (to me) I guess you get a potion of greater healing for....umm 500 go.

Me:.......nah I'm good, FUCK IT. I'll just make another spell caster Oops. Cant do that. How about a nope. Cant make a barbar I'm going to make a artificer

Dm: cant do that

Me: why?

Dm: they're broken its not good.

Me: *with the book* not broken..ulyou know what why dont you make me a character and I'll use that.

Dm: hands me a sheet

Me: reads "Zonia the sexy zombie elf sex slave that gets stronger every time she has sex?" *Looks at everyone* ok I'm out enjoy the campaign.

Dm: we cant have a dnd adventure with only 1 person.

Me: yes you can you've been doing it since session 1. I'm out goodbye. I'm still running my campaign on sunday. I wont hole anything against you. But I will not sit here and be shit on bc I refuse to kiss yur ass and make a slut of a character. Pull your head from your ass. I'm taking my stuff and I'm out.

Dm: but I need the dm screen and the mat and the markers.

Me: then buy your own or use theater of mind. I'm out.

Like how bad is it to want to be a dm to shit on ppl. THIS, THIS IS NOT OK. and no one wants a zombie sex slave that can only have sex and has a str of 0 a con of 30 a dex of 1 a cha of 40 and so on. Its friggin stupid!

Anyway that's my rant. Im....I think I'm just done with dms and crap I just want to play a dnd game I can be happy with. And not always be the Forever dm. Who has players challenge everything. Like why as a monk they cant use sleight of hand to CATCH A FRIGGIN FIREBALL AND/OR AN ARROW AIMED AT ANOTHER PERSON.

Anyway leave a comment or add on I'm just burnt out and glad I could get this rant off my chest

#dnd #bad players #bad dm #horror story #ugh