~~Chargen Guidelines~~
Starting Level: 1st. *cue music: Stayin' Alive* current level: 2
Allowed books/sources: Almost anything 3.5 (including Dragon), though not really crazy about 3rd-party stuff. I'm of the opinion that everyone will have more fun if they can play what they want, and it's my job as the DM to make it work. Some specifics:
1) No Tome of Magic or Magic of Incarnum, for story reasons (these may become available later).
2) Please no TO, make a character that will be fun for everyone. If your idea of fun is making other players or DMs pull their hair out, find a different game.
3) Setting-specific sources are absolutely allowed -- you are encouraged to re-flavor setting-specific things so you can play them.
Character Basics: You'll be playing youths (minimum age for your class/race) who get in way over their heads, because the adults don't take you seriously. The initial setting is pretty small-town limited -- humans, elves, half-elves, maybe halflings/dwarves are easy, but anything stranger we'll have to background in. Don't let that stop you from playing something strange if you want to! Last time I ran this we had an anthropomorphic ermine warblade from the frozen north, and it was all good.
Stats: 4d6/highest 3/reroll 1's, or use the following array -- 18 16 16 14 12 10
Alignment Restriction: No CE -- other than that, just make sure your character plays well with others. No exploiting other PCs (except for when hilarity ensues for all involved including the victim), no stealing from them, no killing them in their sleep or Mindrape/Love's Pain to use them against the BBEG. If you want to be LE because you're using the party as your platform to launch world domination, that's probably okay unless someone else is a Paladin of Freedom. Basically, pay attention to the rest of the party and make sure you'll work well as a team.
Religion: An extremely large (and poorly-defined) pantheon called the Lords of Heaven. Includes all standard D&D gods and whoever else we want to throw in there. Sovereign Speaker PrC (from Eberron) works well for people who want to worship the entire pantheon. If you are a cleric and want specific domains, design a god who has them and we'll add 'em (essentially there are lots of obscure gods who few people have heard of).
Variant Rules: 2 flaws max, 1 trait.
~~Setting Information~~
World: Augury
Country: Escanthia (capitol: Starryhall)
Town: the hamlet of Springley Downs, pop. ~200
Springley Downs is, so the legend goes, the northernmost village in Escanthia, lying as it does only ~100 miles south of the snow line. The village is nestled between the Silverfish River and Fayland Forest; a very small settlement of elves lives nearby (Fayland Water, pop. ~20), which is friendly with Springley Downs. The villagers trade with the closest town of any size, Silverhaven, which is a ferry ride across the river and two days away by wagon. Since Springley Downs is surrounded by woods and water, there are no cash crops or pastures; food sources include fish, rabbit, venison, vegetables from small gardens, and whatever can be gleaned from the fertile arms of the forest: fruits and berries, nuts, and excellent mushrooms. Wood is in abundant supply, and there is something of a demand in Silverhaven for high-quality lumber and worked woodcrafts, which the townsfolk of Springley Downs happily supply in exchange for the various and sundry goods they require.
Notable NPCs:
~Sir Aundors Whiteflame, Mayor (human knight 3), a kind-hearted man who is universally loved and respected. He left the town in his youth, returning many years later with a knighthood, several scars, and a young daughter. He was elected Mayor 13 years ago, and has led the town well.
~Squire Mainor (human warrior 1), Sir Aundors's deputy. While the Squire might be gruff, and his wife Juna called a shrew behind her back, he is known to be a good man. Despite his lack of trading skills, Squire Mainor makes the monthly trading journey to Silverhaven, taking 3 youths with him each time to help.
~Romi (half-elf ranger 2) and Aurua (half-elf druid 2), Greenswardens. This married couple is in charge of the village's grounds, trees, and gardens. Most dealings with the elves of Fayland Water go through them; Romi leads the hunting parties into the Forest every week. Both sit on the Council of Elders (Aurua is the only woman).
~Brelden (human cleric of the Lords 2) is the spiritual leader of Springley Downs. He is mild, middle-aged, and unmarried. He sits on the Council of Elders.
~Coman (human) runs the Laughing Arms Inn & Tavern with his wife Frissa. They have no children of their own, but have been parent-figures for many youths over the ages (boys would work in the stables, girls in the common room). Coman sits on the Council of Elders.
~Big Tor (human) is Springley Downs' only blacksmith, if you don't count his sons Little Tor & Milt. Big Tor sits on the Council of Elders.
~Welton (human) the Ferrymaster is a sour man, somewhat disliked around town, particularly by anyone under the age of 40. As the only means of access to the outside world, Welton sits on the Council of Elders.
~Deepshadow (ranger 2) and Rainfall (cleric of Corellon 2) are the two elves of Fayland Water that deal most often with the villagers.
