#dnd headcannon

[commissionash]

I’m practicing painting again, now with a doppelgänger I run for DND. I like to think they look like they’re made of glass so It was very important to use a lot of colors.

[re-rolladndadventure]

DnD headcannon: Magic users eyes change colour depending on their spells

For example, Warlocks. Their eyes would be glowing in unsettling ways, especially as their patrons channel their energy, which allows them to cast spells. So like warlocks eyes would glow a sickly green/yellow or dull grey, being fucking creepy cuz warlocks.

Druids eyes would glow natural colours, greens and purples and blues but they'd be like blowing leaves, or roaring oceans, barely containing the power of nature around them. Their eyes would glow depending on where they are/ what their circle is.

Clerics/Paladins eyes would glow with holy or unholy light. Pure white or dark black depending on their god and their oaths. That glow would match whatever surrounds them.

Mages/Sorcerer's eyes would glow a firey red/orange because most of their spells contain fire.

Bards eyes would literally be the same as normal except that their teeth glow and they get like +40 to CHA because suddenly they got pearly white teeth that can outshine a dragons hoard.

[caerbannogmochi]

Okay hot take but what if the primary difference between gnomes and halflings is that while the former is trying to be solitary in the woods, the latter actually succeeds because halflings are paranoid as fuck (remember, even Bilbo had enough of his adventure by the end of it) while gnomes die like hamsters because they fundamentally can’t leave things the fuck alone.

[re-rolladndadventure]

Session quotes #18

"Your mind's tongue is heavy." ~ Sen OOC

[re-rolladndadventure]

Session quotes #3

"You can't hear me I'm talking to God herself!!!" -Cisco OOC

[jorajhisays]

Side note: Catfolk Gods

My mother used to tell me that it was important to know where you came from in order to keep moving forward. We embrace the past, learn from it, and then move on.

My parents made sure that I was aware of our history as Catfolk. They said it was an important part of my culture, and I should never forget it. We even had shrines for the old Catfolk gods set up at home, and small ones that my parents carried around when we travelled. They're not really worshipped by a whole lot of Catfolk anymore, though. Most that do are the really isolated tribes close to the Wastes. I guess the best way to put it is that they're considered just a little bit old-fashioned, now.

Mrrhrr is “Tail”. She stood for lust, humility and community. She represented family and the warmth of femininity in general. My mother said that she was an example for mothers, that her gentleness and love was without compare. She used to say that Mrrhrr loved us like we were all her children.

When I was younger, I often wondered if Mrrhrr's embrace would have been able to compare to my mother's. If she would have been as soft, as warm and as kind.

We also have Hmrr. “Claw”. He stood for hunters, strength and the spirit of competition. He was representative of men and the strength of masculinity in general. My father told me he was supposed to be an example for father figures, meant to use their strength to protect their family. He also told me about some boys that used to get into fights and then claim that they were simply wanting to show their respect for Hmrr, which would end with them being told to pay actual tribute to Hmrr in case he got mad.

I like to believe that Hmrr would have been proud of my father, who did his best to be strong for us. He did his best to protect my mother until his dying breath.

Thrrva, the last in the triad. “Feet”. Thrrva stood for travellers, trade and courage. Representative of wanderers, traders and the transitory nature of those who stray. My parents told me that in older times, wanderers would have been considered social outcasts, for leaving the tribe. They were important though, as they brought in new technologies, new ideas. New ways of thinking. Without them, the nature and culture of the Catfolk would have stagnated.

It was considered an honour for a child to become a wanderer, a traveller. Unfortunately, it was often safer if their parents pretended they were dead.

The Triad are considered very old-fashioned. Especially Mrrhrr, who is very unpopular with a lot of modern Catfolk women. Women are capable of more than just raising families, and men not only good for hunting and fighting. Wanderers are still sort of wanderers and while they're still sort of considered outcasts, it is not to the extent as before. They bring in new things which are now more embraced by the community rather than shunned.

My parents worshipped the Triad and they did their best to emulate the qualities that the gods embodied. My father for Hmrr, my mother for Mrrhrr. I like to think my parents would be proud of me, proud of what I've done and learned and accomplished. I am a wanderer, from the tips of my ears to the bottom of my soles. I've done a lot of travelling in these past few years, and I am not sure if I am going to stop anytime soon.

[jorajhisays]

Well. Harland decided to summon a Fiendish Centipede. It looked pretty intimidating, I gotta admit. There was something about how all its legs moved that made me feel a little uncomfortable.

The centipede crawled onto the webbing... and promptly got stuck. Callie (ever the perceptive one) noticed a spider making its way towards the centipede. I relayed this to the group and we got ready for a fight. Harland shot it and made some comment about being thunderstruck. I didn't get it, but Dominus laughed so maybe it's another Gnome thing.

The spider started attacking the centipede. I didn't want to step on the webbing and get stuck too, so I just shot at it from a distance. Dominus was using Harland's old crossbow, but I don't think it's big enough for him. He missed a couple of times.

Unfortunately, the centipede took a few lethal bites from a person-sized spider and died. I probably wouldn't have done too much better, that spider was pretty impressive. The centipede did it's best, and Harland said summons are not real and just poof out of existence rather than dying when they go, so it's not so bad. He says he can always summon another one.

We killed the spider, and tentatively hacked through the webbing. There was not much more incident until we reached a fork in the road. One of the path was covered with more webs and another without. At the end of the one with no webbing, we saw a chest. There were scratches all over it, like something had been clawing at it.

While we were discussing what the best method of opening it would be, Harland shot it. The top of the chest shattered. Blood and meat splattered to the ground around it, and the stench of rotten flesh filled the air. Of course, Harland was in no way remorseful about making such a mess. Sometimes I think Harland likes that gun far too much. Poor Callie got some splashed onto her, and she wiped it on Dominus. I'm not entirely sure if Dominus noticed, or cared. Harland used magic to clean him.

The sound and the smell of the exploded chest drew in more spiders, and things that I later learned were called “Abberations.” One of the spiders trapped me in its web, but we managed to get rid of them all. I killed a spider on the ceiling and it began to drip down on me because I was stuck. It was really gross, and I'm not sure that crushing a spider directly on top of me was the most sensible thing I've ever done. Dominus helped me out of the webbing without cutting me, I was so pleased with him. I gave him a hug and because I was covered in spider goo, it covered him too. Maybe today is just the day Dominus gets dirty.

...Is it daytime up on the surface? I wonder.

After a bit more exploration, we found a lady. A very pretty lady. One may even describe her as “pert”. She was also a non-human lady, according to Callie. Harland suggested shooting her when he found out, of course.

We didn't let him, just to be clear.

The lady said she was kidnapped from her tribe on the edge of the Crystal Fields. Her name is Aria. She stuck to Dominus, carefully avoiding Harland. I mean, I guess I would too if I didn't know Dominus and a tiny Draconic Gnome man just threatened to shoot me. Dominus seems the most... normal. Physically, that is.

Anyways, we decided we were going to help her get back to her home because there was no way she'd be able to make it back on her own. She didn't know which way she was taken, so we continued along the path. Eventually we were greeted by a horrid, horrid stench.

It was a whole room of rubbish! I felt bad for Harland. His tiny nose must have cried. We decided to go through this room because the other way was covered with more webs, and we didn't really want to risk getting into a fight with a civilian among us. I picked up Harland and Torwyn because I didn't want them to have to wade through all that... stuff. Dominus, ever the gentleman, carried Aria (with only moderate difficulty!) and Callie decided to walk in. Barefoot. Not the smartest idea she's had, and she did say that she regretted it afterwards. Feet + pointy disgusting sharp bits = not a happy time.

There were what seemed to be remains of Gnomish architecture – that room was big, and a large grate in the middle of the room. These bars which originally served as a way to close the opening into a large pit were bent backwards. We ah... we avoided getting too close. There were stairs to the side, and we figured that must have been the way out because the air was fresher there. Well, as fresh as air can be in the Underdark.

Climbing the stairs, we emerged into a large cavern. There were huge mushrooms, and these glowing crystals and behind us, a river of acid bubbled along peacefully. It was all very beautiful. Aria said that this was the Crystal Fields, and as we approached we saw that everything was made of crystals. Very sharp crystals. Even the grass! There was a huuuge tree in the distance, too. Callie saw it and seemed to want to look at it but it was quite far off and we had more pressing matters at hand. Aria directed us to a path that was hidden by an illusion. We could not tell it was there until she pointed it out. The village was impressive, crystalline tree houses in crystal trees with crystal grass and crystal paths... There was a lot of crystal. Also people. The people weren't made out of crystal, but they were still an interesting bunch. All appeared to be the same race, and yet their appearances varied wildly. Is hair dye a common thing in this village? People stopped and stared as we entered.

We introduced ourselves, and told them we were there to return Aria. Someone took notice and summoned the Chieftain for us. Dominus also finally set Aria down on her feet. I'm impressed with how long he was carrying her for.

The Chieftain thanked us for bringing her back. He said they were Society. And that we were new thoughts. It was interesting, the moment Aria set foot back in the village she began talking really oddly. Referring to herself and the Chieftain in plural.

He said that others had disappeared as well, but that was a long while ago and they knew the ones taken had left the realm many moons ago. Unfortunate, but at least we managed to help one person. When asked more about Society, the Chieftain very gently deflected our questions but insisted they are peaceful. The Chieftain also discouraged Callie from approaching the tree, stating that it was forbidden to them. It was a tomb and a prison, he said.

...We asked him if he knew what was causing the earthquakes. He said it was hatred, pain and sorrow. That they hear it in their dreams. It wants to kill and consume all things, starting with itself. But there is too much anger for death, it cannot die.

I am worried, but also saddened for it. I want to help.

We were offered a place to sleep in for the night, and so here we are in one of the tree houses. I'm sure that if they wanted to harm us, they would have done so already. Callie wanted to test her Wildshaping and flew off as an eagle. I hope she doesn't give in to the temptation to approach that tree.

Oh – oh dear. She's just flown back in with shards of glass stuck in her here and there. I'm gonna go see if she needs help. Until next time.

[jorajhisays]

Okay, so after everyone recovered from their hangovers and gathered their things we set off onto the next part of our exciting underground journey. The guardsman was super nice and chatted with me while I waited for everyone to get their stuff together.

They weren't very helpful about where the portal we needed to shut was, all they could kinda do was point us in the general direction and send us off. Fair enough though, according to Harland the Underdark is a pretty big place. I do wish they could have given us at least some form of directional help.

We kinda wandered along single-file through the narrow tunnels until we came upon a place with lots of pools. They looked really warm. The moment Harland stepped close to one, something came out and grabbed him! It looked like a lobster with tentacles. It was kinda icky, but at least it wasn't trying to crush me.

It didn't manage to poison Harland, which is good because it would have been bad for him. Callie tried to attack it, but I don't think it turned out so well for her. Harland tried to do some magic thing that would tell it to put him down or something, but it didn't work. I was worried it'd try to go back into the water so I went around to the side of it and stood on the edge as I tried to whack it. It grabbed Callie in its claws after moving Harland into its mouth. I think it wanted to eat him. I'm pretty sure it did, at least. In the end, Dominus landed the killing blow just as the thing tried to retreat into the water. He did well, I'm proud of him. He was pretty pleased with himself, too.

Harley and I dove into the water after we caught the glimmer of shiny things at the bottom. I had bigger hands, so I grabbed the coins and this pretty bird (not the fun kind, unfortunately). We divided what we found, there was like, 102 gold and 53 silver. I got to keep a copper that had a bite taken out of it!

Dominus wound up really liking the raven which was apparently something that people used to send messages from one another. He named it Kutkh, and we let him keep it. Inside the bird was a piece of paper, we couldn't recognize what was written on it even after Harland and I puzzled over it for a good while. It seemed to be some type of code. I put it away in my bag until we could get someone else to look at it.

We gave Harland's crossbow to Dominus, just so he can shoot things from far away. It looked so tiny in his hands...

After we all kinda recovered from the attack, we kept exploring. We found three different potential paths to follow, none of them looked particularly inviting. There was one area that was just... ice. Another section had cobwebs all over the floor of the tunnels. Large ones, too. And the last one had a lot of statues.

We didn't really feel up to going into the room that had the statues, especially after Harland told us that they were most likely petrified people. Didn't really feel too much like fighting a bunch of spiders either, so into the icy caves we went.

Eventually, we discovered a room with a very large tree in the middle. And three frost giants. We tried to talk to them, but they didn't respond. A voice told us that they didn't speak Giant very well.

What looked like a preteen girl materialized from the snow piled around the dead leaves. She was small-looking and pale. She was wearing a light blue dress and she had wings. She said her name was Hrim. It's a little tricky to try and say her name, so she told us we could call her Rime.

She was currently in control of the Frost Giants. As Harland, Dominus and Callie were discussing the tree behind her, I asked her questions.

She said she was in control of the frost giants, and that she'd been there for a while. She asked us what we are, and whether we were there for the tree. I don't think it would have ended well for anyone should they have said yes, because the air noticeably chilled when she asked that. We told her the truth, that we were not.

Harland asked her a few questions about his religion, and she sent off one of the Frost Giants to get some food for us, and called us guests. We asked her what kind of food she had, and she only said non-humanoid meat. Good enough for me, haha.

“You're not Royalists, so why are you here?” she said, “I was expecting the King Cult sooner or later.”

“We're a little lost, I suppose.” I said, “Well, I feel a little lost.”

“Well, I was expecting the Umbragen to come for their slaves, or for Zern to come to try and bargain for the Mind Flayers, or for King Cultists to come for their Princess. But you're just... lost.”

I remembered that bit of conversation because I felt a little bad for her. She seemed to expect so many people to come after her, and was prepared for so many bad things. Instead what she got was us.

Beside me, Dominus tried to stick his hand into this magical-looking blue fire, and the fire refused to touch him. He seemed really upset by that.

Apparently there were poisonous mushrooms beyond her cave (and not the fun kind), and they didn't like the cold so it was okay to stay where she was. There was not much point in us going ahead, so Harland asked her about the tree. I'll try and write what I remember, Harland told me some of the bits I missed so I could write it down.

She said that the tree was a Miracle from Vinland, the Night Watchman. He's the old god of law, community and zeal. She said it was a prison. For her.

Her title is the Redwater Princess. She said that a Royalist Cult paid the Umbragen lots to get slaves to make the part of her that was now in the tree. Seventeen thousand three hundred and nine souls, to be precise. They were fused together into a single entity and instilled in a pure vessel of celestial blood.

Harland told me the Redwater King hates everything that is. Existence itself pains him. He wants to see the end of all things, including his followers. They built her of that hate, empowered by thousands of souls that despised them specifically. She strained against her bindings. There was chaos, and then she left. The power she had was immense. Seventeen thousand souls infused with Divine Hatred. She burned from within. It hurt her.

She prayed for a miracle, and it was granted. All of the hate and pain and suffering was sealed in the tree. Hrim was made up of what's left.

Harland thanked her for her story, and she said that we could repay her if we liked.

Hrim said we smell of blood, and light, and darkness, and forests. And time. She asked us to kill her someday. When we had the ability to do so. She said she'd rather that we killed the Princess and let her figure out the rest of what she was. That we were the first people to find her in a decade, and that it was not a coincidence.

We agreed.

She gave us four blue crystalline tears. She said they were respite. Peace. She said that we could put them under our tongue and they'd keep our hearts strong and our minds at peace for an hour or so. She also said that if we crushed them and rubbed the powder into a mortal wound, they might grant us hope.

Hrim... Her story is so sad. I always knew the world wasn't a safe place and that bad things could happen, but some of the things I've seen and heard of recently have been... so much worse than I could have ever imagined possible. I feel like I understand a little of why Ulysses did what he did. He wants to be the greatest hero that ever lived. I want to help make this world a place where people don't to hurt like this. I want to make a difference. I want to make a change. I have to get even stronger.

She gave us some more information about the fortress, and then once we left she sealed herself away, so that nobody else could find her.

We will come back to her, someday. I swear it.

After we left her, we followed the paths up to where there were a lot of spider webs. While Harland was trying to think of what to do, I decided to sit down and write. Ain't no way in hell I'm stepping on those webs.

Oh, but Harland is summoning something. I'd best put this away.