Graceless and Sightless - Caress Melani Journal - Session 5

This didn't go well.

A Dagger Darkly 

There was flash of darkness fitting between the moment when the bugbear's morningstar was falling like a meteor down on her buckler and when she was waking up on the floor to the tingling sensation of a healing potion being shoved down her throat and Mythram crouched over her form. 

The crushed form of one of the Red Brands lay crumpled nearby, clearly not slain by any of her group. Meaning that these thugs were slaying their own allies and as Caress pulled herself to her feet she hardened her gaze. A second potion was thrust into her hands and she swallowed it down.

A Dagger Darkly - Caress Melani Journal - Session 3

 The Tail of the Cat

Caress's mind shifted back to her training in the use of the dagger and whip. How to conceal them on her person and keep them at the ready at all times... without alerting the supplicants that came to her. There were any of a number of warriors and rogues amongst the Courtesans, though she was told that it was rare for devotion to manifest in such a clear connection to the divine font as was the case for her. 

This had presented her with a decision. On the one hand, if such champions were rare among Sharess's clergy then it certainly made since to be cautious and avoid taking risks. But on the other hand, a champion was meant to do things and she didn't think that caution was the reason that Sharess had forged her will into a path to the depths of the upper planes. So she did what a Champion should and strode to the fight. 

And now that divine source was stitching up her scales and keeping her life's blood from emptying out and giving her the impression that perhaps caution was the better option after all. She hadn't even made it up to the boss of this band of bandits. She was going to die to the sword of one of the rank and file. The wolf beside her lashed in and she shoved it back with her shield but the goblin in front of her smiled grimly as he readied to strike..

Call of the Netherdeep - Dramatis Personae

 Journal Page

Official Art of the Rivals

The Rivals of Destiny

• Ayo Jabe - Water Genasi born in a great storm to orc parents. Ranger with glory in her eyes but a good heart.
• Neutral to the party.  Upset at tactics, but understands they weren't malicious.
• Enthusiastically wants in on the glory of the destiny they've found.
• Has a crush on Galsariad.
  
• Dermot Wurder - Goblin cleric of the Luxon uncertain of his own importance but desperate to be of use to his friends.
• Friendly to the party. Was encouraged to try the maze. 
• Had a conversation about faith with Elara.
  
• Galsariad Ardyth - Drow wizard eager to prove his worth and intelligence. A singularly beautiful man but a bit aloof.
• Friendly to the party. Respected their intelligence, and also appreciates Esoh's tactics.
• Curious about the amulet, but reserved and not saying much of his thoughts.
• Unaware that Ayo and Irvan are crushing on him.
  
• Irvan Wastewalker - Youthful human tired of being underestimated for seeming young, eager to step away from his nomadic family.
• Friendly to the party. Enjoyed the pie-eating contest and watching them harvest rice. 
• Laid back, curious about the treasure, uninterested in the quest.
• Has a crush on Galsariad
  
• Maggie Keeneyes - An ogre warrior of great strength and keen mind who seeks to match against a fellow strategist and earn a retirement from the battlefield.
• Friendly to the party. Appreciated their comment on accessibility and good conversation.
• Seems to have reservations about this quest, but did not hesitate to support her friends.
   

Call of the Netherdeep - The Second Round - Dungeons and Dragons 5e

The stories of the adventuring party, The Second Round

Landing page by my friend Ann

The Second Round

• Esoh Vahn - Vedlaken Scribe Wizard who died before she could complete her apprenticeship in her prior life.
• Elara - Pallid Elf Moon Cleric who has the memories of her time as a powerful warrior.
• Imvenda Bladewing - Owlin Hexblade who has inherited a magical blade that whispers secret powers to her.
• Snype - A Kobold Vengeance Paladin trained by the Whitestone Riflecorp who previously died fighting the Chroma Conclave.

The Second Round - The Festival of Merit - Session 1

Journal Page
Meetings and Prologues

The town of Jigow is a collection of villages formed of predominately orcs and goblins that grew and grew, merging together until they were all virtually one place. It was a highly competitive culture and every year there was a festival among the elite of the town to decide who would be hailed as the Champions of the town for that year. It was little more than an excuse to have a big party and get a chance to show off in front of everybody. Adventurers, soldiers, scholars, and more came every year to Jigow for a chance to take part. This year, however, destiny had brought two groups of great potential to the town.

The Second Rounds and the Rivals of Destiny would meet for the first time in this place and it would start with a pie-eating competition.

The Second Round - Meetings and Prologues

Journal Page

A call of anguish rose up and reached high into the sky, passing the Divine Gate and catching the ear of the Prime Deities. Unable to act themselves, a seed was planted and heroes were called forth to an unassuming town of goblins and orcs on the northern coastline of Xorhaus.

Rites of Sharess

Definition of Clergy: Any of the "official" members of Sharess's worship in as much as the cult has official ranks. Examples would include Clerics, the Acolyte background, and the "Courtesan of Sharess" background I homebrewed for Caress

Will add to this as I think of others.

Initiation as a Clergy

I pledge my path to walk entwined with Sharess.
At her word my body is bound.
At her wish my pain is given.
At her need my wrath is directed.
At her whim my passion is unleashed.
Her loves shall be my blood.
Her foes shall be my prey.

The Tail of the Cat - Caress Melani Journal - Session 1-2

"Ophala tells me you are leaving us soon." the draconic words drifted through the incense filled room gracefully, blending with the calm and meditative atmosphere rather than cutting through it. 

The young woman sitting within the hazy cloud opened her eyes and turned to look up toward smiling, curvy, stooping woman with the steel grey streak through her hair. The other woman was setting down a bundle of folded clothes. She smiled politely and answered in a musical, sibilant tone as she stood to her full height and stretched out. The smoky incense left the room feeling comfortable warm, almost like lying in the sun.

Caress Melani - Tyranny of Dragons - Yuan-Ti Paladin

Art by Silky-Noire

 

A Courtesan of Sharess and Yuan-ti pure-blood whose life was changed by the interference of the Goddess of Sensuality. And now she moves through life doing as her mistresses does, spreading joy and protecting those who need protection. She strives to be someone whose existence makes the world better.

Personal Notes: Caress is a character concept I've had sitting around for a while now, because the concept of the Yuan-Ti emotional nature interacting with the surface elements of Sharess's worship was interesting. 

When I first created her, I wasn't consciously aware I was ace and hadn't outright said I was neurodivergent. Since I've said it outloud, she's become a character I'm even more interested in exploring. 

I want her to be a story about positive sexuality, explore how to navigate sexuality as a conscious ace, and other such things. Still a bit nervous of messing this up, but have friends that have more experience in this mode of gameplay and story than I do. I expect there won't be too many chances to explore this stuff with her, but it's still very exciting.

Caress Melani's Playlist 

Caress Melani's Character Sheet 

Rites of Sharess

Raw Session Notes 

Sessions

• The Lost Mines of Phandelver
  
• The Tail of the Cat - Session 1 & 2
• A Dagger Darkly - Session 3
• Session 4 - Caress spent it in the inn attending to her duties. (I was absent)
  
• Graceless and Sightless - Session 5 
• Bones and Bullies - Session 6
• Remnants of Ruin - Session 7
• Moonlit Laughter - Session 8
• The Bandit King's Pets - Session 9
• Rite to Blight - Session 10
• The Cult and the Dragon - Session 11
• Bounded Waves - Session 12
• Plans Ghoulish and Guarded - Session 13
• Squashing a Spider- Session 14
• The Bloated Bounty
• Much Sadness About Larry - Session 15
• Shields, Scales, Shadows, and Shit - Session 16
• Worms and Ringers - Session 15
• A Curious Evolution of Dragon Cults
• Welcome Brawl at the Lodge - Session 16 
• To the Point of Exhaustion - Session 17 
• Danger Looms Large - Session 18 & 19
• Hidden Space and Serpentine Wiles - Session 20
• Cover of Darkness - Session 21
  

Caress Melani - Playlist

 This is the spotify playlist for Caress.

Originally, I choose most of the songs on fairly shallow or at least knee-jerk reaction, but I did go through and think it out a bit more. It's a long list so some of the themes and statements get repeated.

Caress Journal Page

Caress Character Sheet

Caress Melani - Yuan-Ti Paladin

Yuan-ti Pureblood Paladin of the Ancients 6th Level 

Background: Courtesan of Sharess

 

Journal Page

Playlist 

Str 10
Dex 14
Con  14
Int  10
Wis 12
Cha 18

HP: 53

AC: 19 (Barrier Tattoo, Shield of Arrow Catching)
Paladin Save DC: 16 (Amulet of the Devout)

Yuan-Ti Save DC: 15

Speed: 30

Proficiency Bonus: +3