Washington the Owlin!

I got invited to participate as a guest in a session of a Strixhaven DnD campaign.

The session starts at 6pm EST/3pm PST and will stream at Andorinha’s twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/andorinha_do_sul/

silverquill swamp boy druid that’s bad at everything including being a druid

+him in his little silverquill uniform and cloak of displacement

Time for another Bunday! The next Magic: The Gathering set has a new creature token type, Inkling, and boy did I have to get a bunny done for that! This is probably the first bunny token art I’ve done that draws some heavy inspiration from the actual token art. I was a bit lost at first on what to do, but I really liked the purple eyed ink creatures on the official tokens, so I rolled in that direction. And then I just got a bit to in to doing the value shading. Whoops.

This will be added to the bunny creature token cards I have for sale!

Ko-fi|Patreon

Strixhaven Students: Prismari

In this five-part series, I’ll be creating a brand new Dungeons and Dragons character who would call one of the colleges of Strixhaven home. Each character will be built using content released in either published books or in Unearthed Arcana (UA) documents, such as the recently released Mages of Strixhaven UA.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Fizzik Mythstone, Inspired Loremaster.

Art by ArtDeepMind - Link

From his earliest memories, Fizzik Mythstone seemed destined to join the family ranks in attending Strixhaven and being a student of Lorehold: there were many famous artificers amongst his relatives, including his uncle Hofri Ghostforge. As part of the family business, Fizzik’s father trained young Hofri in the mystical arts of artifact restoration.

However, Hofri dreamed of what life could be beyond his family’s plans, for Hofri had a love of the performing arts. As they worked in the family forge, Fizzik’s father would tell him the stories of the ancient weapons they worked on and the heroes who had wielded them. Hofri absorbed these tales, imagining how they could be adapted and performed. Eventually, he acted on his creative impulses and began to turn those stories into plays. And as he dreamt of larger stories, he began to learn different forms of magic to augment his productions.

When the time came to attend Strixhaven, he took his various skills and made a name for himself within his first year. Using the grand library of the Biblioplex, he even developed new methods of artifice that could be used for the stage. He eventually drew the attention of the two Prismari Deans, who offered him a place in their college.

Starting Stats (using the Standard Array)

• Strength: 14
• Dexterity: 13
• Constitution: 8
• Intelligence: 15
• Wisdom: 10
• Charisma: 12

Fizzik’s primary skills are his intelligence and ability to apply research that he has uncovered. He was trained from an early age to be an artificer, so spent a lot of time lifting heavy weights around the shop and then deftly moving between the various shelves. This ability came in handy when he started to work behind the scenes in various stage productions.

Race:Hill Dwarf

Fizzik comes from a long line of dwarves. When it came to looking at which sub-race to choose, I eventually settled on being a Hill Dwarf, as the Mountain Dwarf build felt like a more martial character; as Fizzik will show you, his skills lay in an arena different from the battlefield. The nice part about the dwarf race is that you get a +2 to Constitution, which helps to even out his “dump” stat.

Proficiency: Mason’s Tools

Background:Entertainer

Throughout his youth, Fizzik’s greatest joy came as he recreated tales of history for audiences. And while he was decent enough at acting the parts, he found greater value in the arts surrounding the theater: script writing, set and costume design, and directing. This was much to his parents’ disgruntlement, unfortunately, as they (especially his father) felt that this pursuit was frivolous.

Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Performance, Disguise Kit, and Lute

Level 1: Artificer (Level 1)

Fizzik was trained by his father from a young age in the family business: artifact restoration. In his workshop, they examined ancient weapons, finely glazed pottery, and old books with brittle pages. As they worked, Fizzik learned about the spells and enchantments that wizards from eras past would place on them. And although he found the work a bit tedious, hearing the tales of history from his father as they worked sparked his imagination.

While Fizzik began his journey as an artificer, he eventually multiclasses so that he can pick up the Mage of Prismari subclass, which isn’t offered to the artificer in this UA. In order to differentiate the types of magic learned between them, Fizzik specializes in different types of spells depending on his class. As an Artificier, these are Transmutation spells.

Starting Class Proficiencies: Arcana, History, Carpenter’s Tools

Spells:

• Cantrips: Mending, Prestidigitation
• Leveled Spells: Catapult, Feather Fall

Level 2: Wizard (Level 1)

In his spare time, Fizzik would develop plays based on the stories he had heard about ancient heroes and the artifacts they wielded. He held his productions at a community center where the elderly dwarves would congregate after they retired. And while his productions were decent, he had dreams about making them grander.

One day while looking through some ancient histories, he came across a leather-bound tome, The Magiks of Theatre. Sneaking the book away into his private collection, he spent any free moment poring over its pages. He quickly mastered all sorts of new spells and began to implement them into his storytelling productions.

As mentioned before, in order to differentiate the types of magic learned between them, Fizzik specializes in different types of spells depending on his class. As a Wizard, these are Evocation and Illusion spells.

Spells:

• Cantrips: Dancing Lights, Firebolt, Ray of Frost
• Spellbook Spells: Burning Hands, Color Spray, Disguise Self, Silent Image, Thunderwave

Level 3: Artificer (Level 2)

Eventually, the fateful day came, as it had for many generations of his family: he was accepted to attend Strixhaven University. With one final, “Don’t forget that Lorehold is in your blood,” from his father, he was out of the house and feeling more free than he had ever been.

He loved most everything about this new experience; he even enjoyed the Basics of Archeology class his father had insisted on him taking, due to an exceptionally engaging Kor professor. But most of all, he loved discovering the countless mysteries held within the Biblioplex.

There, he uncovered some ancient texts from places of which he had never heard, such as the Undercity of Ravnica. He learned about some secret arts, in which various magic inks that could contain certain spells. These spells could then be cast by those on whom the ink was painted or tattooed (depending on the ink’s properties), regardless of their own spellcasting abilities (or even lack thereof). He immediately saw how this could augment some ideas he had for some theater productions. After months of experimentation, he was able to replicate them via artificer infusions, a skill he had learned from his father.

Infusions:

• Enhanced Arcane Focus
• Replicate Magic Item - Masquerade Tattoo
• Replicate Magic Item - Moodmark Paint
• Replicate Magic Item - Spellwrought Tattoo, 1st Level

Spells:

• Leveled Spells: Expeditious Retreat

Level 4: Wizard (Level 2)

Using his ink techniques and his knowledge from The Magiks of Theatre, Fizzik began to produce some plays starring his friends and other fellow first-year students. Word soon spread, eventually coming to the attention of Deans Uvilda and Nassari of Prismari.

After one especially rousing retelling of The Saga of Hafwyt the Curious, the two Deans approached Fizzik after the show. They congratulated the Dwarf for his retelling. Dean Uvilda commented on the brilliant use of his magic ink to create Illusory costumes, while Dean Nassari gushed over the various spells used to create lighting and sound effects. And together, they extended the invitation to join their college.

It was what Fizzik had dreamt of for a long time, as several of his friends he had made also belonged in Prismari. But he was hestitant to do so, kept back by his family’s expectation for Lorehold.

One day, his famed Uncle Hofri came to give a guest lecture on artifact restoration for Fizzik’s archeology class. Hofri managed to grab Fizzik as class ended, requesting they grab a bite to eat together to catch up. During that time, Hofri noticed something about his nephew. With a gentleness Fizzik didn’t expect, Hofri gave him the space to open up about the Prismari offer. After a moment passed, Hofri said the following:

“You know, everyone’s path to greatness is their own. If everyone trod the same path as everyone else, we would never have amazing stories to tell. Tell you what; I’ll worry about uncovering history, and you be the best storyteller you can be so that everyone else can hear about it and discover it themselves.”

That statement of support meant everything to Fizzik, and he accepted the offer from the Prismari Deans later that day.

Subclass: Mage of Prismari

Creative Skills: Two additional skill proficiencies

• Athletics and Nature

Kinetic Artistry: You can dash as a bonus action. When you do, you can do one of the following: Boreal Sweep, Scorching Whirl, or Thunderlight Jaunt

Spells:

• Spellbook Spells: Illusory Script, Magic Missile

Level 5: Wizard (Level 3)

Fizzik’s knowledge of the theater grew leaps and bounds as a student in his new college. He began to adapt more intricate stories of legends past, and his productions moved to the large Prismari stages. Soon, crowds from Strixhaven and across Arcavios were in attendance of his shows. Even his uncle Hofri came periodically, especially if Fizzik had adapted a dwarven myth to the stage. But his parents never seemed to have the time to attend; there was always too much work to be done in the shops at home.

Spells:

• Spellbook Spells: Blur, Continual Flame

Concept Art for Prismari Campus

After level five, I see Fizzik continuing to progress as a wizard, which has stronger ties to his time as a Prismari student. If I were to advance Fizzik in levels of Artificer, I would most likely pick Battle Smith as his class, with the Steel Defender being his primary stage hand for his many shows. I also see a time when he eventually reconciles with his family, especially since he has support from his uncle, the legendary Hofri Ghostforge.

Now, I will turn it over to you. If you were to play a character from Prismari College, what type of character would you build?

Next, we’ll be meeting a character from Silverquill.

Getting the word out: @flavoracle@kor-artificer@askkrenko@vorthosjay@wizardsmagic

Strixhaven Students: Witherbloom

In this five-part series, I’ll be creating a brand new Dungeons and Dragons character who would call one of the colleges of Strixhaven home. Each character will be built using content released in either published books or in Unearthed Arcana (UA) documents, such as the recently released Mages of Strixhaven UA.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Aidlyn Liadon, Greenkeeper Apprentice.

Bloom Tender, art by Chippy

Aidlyn grew up in the forests of Doradur, an area on the western coast of Orrithia. Along with her adoptive mothers and her three siblings, she helped care for a grove of the rare Brithinan tree, which are prized for their golden and lush fruit that grew ripe in the waning days of summer. From a young age, she learned through the loving guidance of her mother Ashari how to nurture young saplings: fertilizing them with earth mixed with Cervin dung and ground-up Horntop mushrooms. She also learned how to carefully prune the older trees from her mother Atrisa, coaxing the trees into shapes that allowed each tree in the grove enough room to grow and have enough sunlight. And it was in the family grove that Aidlyn first grew into her magical powers as a druid, a conduit between the natural world and those fortunate to walk amongst it.

People from across Orrithia, including many who called Strixhaven their home, would come to share in the delicious fruit that grew on their trees. Aidlyn tended to shy away from these interactions, finding comfort in the farther reaches of the grove. However, one late-spring day she had an experience that changed her life forever. A woman, who called herself Professor Oynx, came to visit. The Brithinan trees were still in bloom, so there were few other visitors on this particular day. As the woman walked among the trees and sampled the blossoms, she came across Aidlyn, who was weaving a spell of growth into a sapling that was having a particularly hard time growing. Impressed with the young elf’s magery, the woman invited Aidlyn to attend the far-off school, indicating that the lessons there could help with the work in the grove.

After discussing with her family, Aidlyn decided she would try to attend. While she was a little apprehensive about leaving her home, she hoped the knowledge she would gain at the school would be of help for the nurture of the grove when she returned. She was accepted, and, while there, the opportunities presented helped her to blossom in her own way.

Starting Stats (using the Standard Array)

• Strength: 10
• Dexterity: 13
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 12
• Wisdom: 15
• Charisma: 8

Through her early years, Aidlyn learned much under the tutelage of her mothers. She excelled at being attentive of her surroundings; as a nature mage, her wisdom is what guides her and her magic. Living so close to the wilds, she also has high natural health, and finds it easy to move through the grove, even when roots would make the ground uneven or when debris would litter the ground after a heavy storm.

Race:Wood Elf

Aidlyn is an elf, and one that grew up far away from many in society, so a wood elf feels appropriate for her. Using her Keen SensesandDarkvision, she keeps watch over her family grove, both in protecting it and in caring for it. She also has the Mask of the Wild, letting her blend in amongst the leaves and branches as she typically avoids most other people.

Background:Hermit

Growing up in a grove with just her family, they became very self-sufficient. Aidlyn is also naturally more introverted, often preferring to work in the far reaches of the grove. But she learns much from nature, and is almost as skilled as her parents in caring for the Brithinan Tree by the time she leaves to go to school.

Proficiencies: Nature and Woodcarver’s Tools

Level 1: Druid (Level 1)

Prior to her meeting Professor Oynx, Aidlyn and her family had a brush with danger in the grove. A few people dressed in dark robes and wearing masks had come to the grove, demanding they be given some of the Brithinan saplings. When her parents first refused, these agents of the Oriq cast a spell that started to cause decay in the trees. Furious, Aidlyn and her mothers drew on the mana present in the grove and fought the agents off. However, some of the blight remained. Through great care, they managed to purge most of the blight from the trees. But some of the saplings still struggled.

Starting Class Proficiencies: Medicine, Nature

Spells:

• Cantrips: Druidcraft, Shillelagh
• Leveled Spells: Detect Poison and Disease, Entangle, Goodberry, Purify Food and Drink

Level 2: Druid (Level 2)

A month after the attack on the grove, Professor Oynx came to the grove and interacted with Aidlyn for the first time. The professor could sense the residual blight magic that still persisted, and was impressed with Aidlyn’s skills at keeping it at bay. So, she told Aidlyn about Stirxhaven, and how its archives held countless volumes on different aspects of magic, perhaps even something about a cure for the blight. After the professor left, Aidlyn discussed this possibility with her family.

Growing in her skills as a druid, Aidlyn would have reached her second level at this point. She doesn’t seem like the type to Wild Shape herself, but there was a neat option published in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything:Wild Companion. In place of using Wild Shape, you can summon a familiar to help you. For Aidlyn, her parents teach her to summon a fey squirrel, as a reminder of the many squirrels who made their homes amongst the branches of the grove. Aidlyn names this fey creature Brith.

Druid Circle: Circle of the Land - Forest

Spells:

• Circle of the Land Cantrip: Thorn Whip
• Leveled Spells: Beast Bond

Level 3: Druid (Level 3)

At first, Aidlyn has a difficult time finding her place. There are many more people around than she is used to, and it overwhelms her many days. However, when she finds the greenhouse on Witherbloom’s campus, she feels at home. Even though most of the campus is marshier than the grove at home, the natural aura that emanated from its surroundings helped her feel at balance once more. She soon found herself spending more and more time amongst the exotic plants found within the greenhouse, and she knew that she would be Witherbloom.

Spells:

• Leveled Spells: Protection from Poison

Level 4: Druid (Level 4)

After her first year of general studies, Aidlyn’s aptitude towards the care of nature was quickly evident to Dean Lisette of Witherbloom College. Lisette personally invited Aidlyn to become a member of the college, which Aidlyn gratefully accepted. Much to her surprise, Professor Oynx was a member of her Board of Approval. As they met again, the professor smiled and winked, indicating she had known since they first met that Aidlyn would feel like she had a place here.

Ability Score Improvement: Intelligence x2

Druid Circle (CHANGE): Mage of Witherbloom

Spells:

• Cantrips: Thorn Whip *Previously known from Circle of Land*
• Subclass Spells: Lesser Restoration, Ray of Enfeeblement
• Leveled Spells: Healing Spirit

Level 5: Druid (Level 5)

Soon after joining Witherbloom college, Aidlyn applied to be an assistant to the dryad Professor Root, who was the caretaker of the Greenhouse. Professor Root had already observed Aidlyn’s caring nature in the year previous, and gratefully accepted her application. After a little training, Aidlyn was assigned to the care of a collection of exotic plants belonging to one Ms. Vess. As Aidlyn cared for and studied these plants, she came to realize that many of these plants weren’t native to any known areas of Arcavios. Intrigued by this mystery, Aidlyn studied extensively to uncover what hidden secrets these plants contained, hoping to find answers that could truly cure the blight left on her family’s grove.

Spells:

• Subclass Spells: Revivify, Vampiric Touch
• Leveled Spells: Speak with Plants

Concept Art for Witherbloom Campus

After level five, I would continue to build Aidlyn as a druid. She might possibly dip into levels as a Wizard as she continues to learn at Strixhaven, which is why I enhanced her Intelligence above 13. Overall, I found it fun to create a Mage of Witherbloom who wanted to focus primarily on the life part of the life and death cycle.

Now, I will turn it over to you. If you were to play a character from Witherbloom College, what type of character would you build?

Next, we’ll be meeting a character from Prismari.

Fellow creator tags: @flavoracle@kor-artificer@askkrenko@vorthosjay@wizardsmagic

Strixhaven Students: Lorehold

In this five-part series, I’ll be creating a brand new Dungeons and Dragons character who would call one of the colleges of Strixhaven home. Each character will be built using content released in either published books or in Unearthed Arcana (UA) documents, such as the recently released Mages of Strixhaven UA.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Rufus, Dedicated Retriever.

Art by Ralph Horsely

When Rufus was still fairly young, he was adopted by an upper year student from Quandrix College named Cairu, who had a theory about exponential optimism. As the student studied the effects of different stimuli on the puppy’s emotional state, they decided that their experiment’s results would be enhanced if Rufus could communicate his own thoughts. One sapience spell later, Rufus was gifted with enhanced deductive thinking and telepathic speech.

A few months of research later, Cairu’s project had come to a close, with several interesting data points backing up their theory. Rufus had grown as well, having taken a liking to reading nightly from various books students left for him. So, with the support of the student researchers and a surprising endorsement from Lady Kasmina, Rufus applied, and later accepted, to be a Strixhaven student himself.

After taking some introductory courses in archeology, Rufus found he had a knack for hunting down history. There was a certain scent that centuries old metal and sun-bleached bone had; he could just smell it faintly on the wind when it blew just right. And so, the halls of Lorehold became his new home.

Starting Stats (using the Standard Array)

• Strength: 10
• Dexterity: 15
• Constitution: 12
• Intelligence: 8
• Wisdom: 14
• Charisma: 13

Rufus loves to run around. He loves to play and interact with others; his enthusiasm is often contagious. And, his senses of smell and hearing enhance his acute awareness of his surroundings.

Race:Custom Lineage

Rufus is a sapient dog, which doesn’t have a direct character race in D&D. However, in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, the Custom Lineage option was presented, which we will use here. Most of the traits will play into Rufus’s dog nature: his Small size, innate strength, and proficiency in perception. The selected feat of telepathy is a result of the sapience spell placed on Rufus by Cairu, the Quandrix researcher. For the feat, I picked to increase Rufus’s Intelligence score, to show how the spell increased his abilities to read and think critically.

Traits:

• Size: Small
• Ability Score Increases: Strength +2
• Feat: Telepathic (Intelligence). This increases Rufus’s Intelligence score by 1, and allows him to convey his thoughts to another creature within 60 feet. This also allows him to cast Detect Thoughts once per long rest, an interesting side effect of the sapience spell that allows Rufus to understand someone’s true feelings.
• Variable Trait: Proficiency - Perception. Like most dogs, Rufus has a keen sense of hearing and smell. For this build, we’ll flavor that as being proficient in Perception.

Background:Athlete

While not an athlete in the traditional sense (at least at the beginning of his story), Rufus’s love of running and play were what drew Cairu to select Rufus and the subject of his optimism optimization research. Later on in his time at Lorehold, Rufus’s skills and speed impress the college’s Mage Tower team captain, and Rufus earns a spot on the team, the first non-humanoid to do so in any college.

• Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Acrobatics

Level 1: Rogue (Level 1)

Rufus begins his adventures as a rogue, as this would be the time directly after Cairu’s research ended and Rufus’s educational journey began. His first few classes introduced him to the basic concepts of magic, which will eventually lead to his second level being a spellcaster (more on that later).

Starting Class Proficiencies: Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Stealth

Expertise: Investigation, Perception

Starting Weapons: Because he is a dog, I would reskin Rufus’s weapons as bite and claw attacks, such as a dagger slash being a paw swipe and a shortsword jab being a vicious bite.

Level 2: Bard (Level 1)

Rufus’s general joyful demeanor and his interactions with fellow students are what drive his magical powers. As a Bard, he uses his magic primarily to help and encourage others, although he might use Mage Hand to grab a few snacks every once in a while. He also starts to learn more about archeology, which fascinates him: a whole career about digging up the past is more than enough reason for a couple of tail wags.

Proficiencies: History

Spells:

• Cantrips: Friends, Mage Hand
• Leveled Spells: Cure Wounds, Feather Fall, Heroism, Identify

Level 3: Bard (Level 2)

Rufus’s interest in history has cemented his desire to be involved with the college of Lorehold. He had remained in contact with Cairu as he had gone through the first year of school, and Cairu enthusiastically agreed that this would be the place that would be best for Rufus -
“While mathematics is brilliant and precisely in my wheelhouse, I have loved seeing you learn an area you love. After all,” Cairu paused to give a little wink, “your continued happy optimism enhances the validity of my research.”

Within Lorehold, Rufus finds new friends and a new place of belonging. His impressive sense of smell helps him identify the origins of various artifacts and he soon becomes a mentor to other students.

Spells:

• Leveled Spells: Thunderwave (an exceptionally loud bark)

Level 4: Rogue (Level 2)

One day, Rufus and a group of Lorehold students were playing a sport-like game that had once been played by an ancient civilization on Arcavios. Their activities were observed by Yovus, the captain of the Lorehold Mage Tower team. He was impressed by Rufus’s Cunning Actions, easily dodging the other students as they ran around. There had recently been an opening in the team, as one of the team members had been selected to assist in an important archeological dig out in the Vastlands. After the game ended, Yovus approached Rufus, and offered him the chance to try out on the team. Of course, Rufus heartily accepted the invitation. The day came, and after some stiff competition between three other competitors and himself, he earned the spot on the team.

Level 5: Bard (Level 3)

After a year of lessons within the college, Rufus was prepared to enact the ritual that would summon an Ancient Companion. The day came, and even Rufus’s optimism couldn’t quite calm his nerves as he made his way to Effigy Row. After a moment of reflection, he sat back on his hind legs and drew out the sigils for “The Rousing” with his paws. The statue rumbled and cracked slightly, and then a golden light began to emanate from the stone.
“Hello Rufus, I am she who is called Deianira. And you are by far the most precocious dog I have had the good fortune to meet.”
She radiated warmth, and Rufus let out a yelp of excitement.
“So tell me,” she continued as she stepped down from her pedestal, “What would you like to know? For my belief is that we shall discover great things together.”

Expertise: Athletics, History

Bard College: Mage of Lorehold

Ancient Companion. I’ll include a brief snippet from the UA.
Whenever you finish a short or long rest, you can call forth and bond with one such spirit, who comes to inhabit a Medium, freestanding statue within 10 feet of you to serve as your ancient companion. See this creature’s game statistics in the Ancient Companion stat block, which uses your proficiency bonus (PB) in several places. When you bond with your ancient companion, choose the type of spirit you bond with: Healer, Sage, or Warrior. Your choice of spirit determines certain traits in its stat block. The statue determines the spirit’s appearance.

Spells:

• Subclass Spells: Comprehend Languages, Knock, Locate Object
• Leveled Spells: See Invisibility

Concept Art for Lorehold

Past level 5, I would continue to build up Rufus’s abilities as a Rogue. I could see him taking either the Inquisitive or the Scout subclass as his roguish archetype: Inquisitive would play into his nature as a budding archeologist, while Scout would play into his abilities as a Mage Tower athlete and traveler into the wilds of Archavios.

Now, I will turn it over to you. If you were to play a character from Lorehold College, what type of character would you build?

Next, we’ll be meeting a character from Witherbloom.

Creator tags: @flavoracle@kor-artificer@askkrenko@vorthosjay@wizardsmagic

Strixhaven Students: Intro

With the announcement of Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos and the release of the Mages of Strixhaven Unearthed Arcana, I thought it would be fun to create a new unique character for each of the five colleges. Similar to the currently running series Developing Character, each character will be built through level 5.

My goal is to make these characters different from their counterparts created in the official Strixhaven set. Each will hold a unique role at the university, showing the breadth of opportunities a magical school could hold. I look forward to hearing from you on each of the characters.

Because I will be working on this project, the Developing Character series will go on a brief hiatus for the next few weeks. The planned released schedule is as follows:

Monday, June 14: (This) Introduction Post

Wednesday, June 16: Lorehold Student

Friday, June 18: Witherbloom Student

Updating the schedule for some breathing room

Friday, June 25: Prismari Student

Friday, July 2: Silverquill Student

Friday, July 9: Quandrix Student

Friday, July 16: Developing Character Returns

Thanks for sticking with me, and I’ll see you at Strixhaven!

Getting the word out: @flavoracle@kor-artificer

Developing Character - Killian Lu

In this potential series, I plan on taking a look at Magic: the Gathering characters and outlining how I would play them as a character in Dungeons and Dragons. The selected build will just go through level 5 (most of the time), so there is plenty space for them to continue to grow.

With that, let’s take a look at one possible way you could play as Killian Lu, Silverquill Student.

Killian is part of the student cycle for Strixhaven, with his main story here: A Silent Voice Calls. He specializes in spoken magic, and is from a long line of inkmasters.

Starting Stats (using the Standard Array)

• Strength: 8
• Dexterity: 14
• Constitution: 12
• Intelligence: 13
• Wisdom: 10
• Charisma: 15

Killian’s powers lie in his interactions with others (Charisma), and his ability to move around the battlefield (Dexterity). He is also a student, who studies vigorously (Intelligence).

Race: Variant Human

Being a variant human lets him pick up a feat, with Inspiring Leader being an in-flavor way to bolster allies. Boost his ability scores in charisma and intelligence, to bump up his modifiers in both. Then, pick intimidation as his skill. Other skills will be picked up with his background and starting class.

Background:Noble

Killian is the son of the famed Dean Embrose and is the next in a long lineage of inkmasters. As a noble, you pick up proficiencies in History and Persuasion.

Level One: Bard (Level 1)

Killian’s skills lie in his manipulation of words. His card does indicate him being a warlock, which we will get to shortly. This level would be showing his introdcution to magic and his magical heritage.

Proficiencies

• 3 instruments that would still allow him to speak (Drums, Lutes, etc.)
• Skills: Deception, Performance, and Acrobatics

Spells:

• Cantrips: Friends, Vicious Mockery
• Leveled Spells: Charm Person, Dissonant Whispers, Feather Fall, Heroism

Level Two: Warlock (Level 1)

As Killian progresses, he is tutored by his father and begins to follow the long family tradition of inkmasters. And, while not explicitly stated, this ink magic could have been passed down from Shadrix Silverquill, the Elder Dragon.

Patron: The Undead (Shadrix Silverquill) – New from Van Richten’s Guide

As a flavorful way to illustrate the Form of Dread that comes with this patron, Killian’s form could be the cloud of inky tendrils that make up his magic.

Spells:

• Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Mind Sliver
• Leveled Spells: Bane, Hex

Level Three: Warlock (Level 2)

Being pressured by his father, Killian studies further into ink magic.

Eldritch Invocations: Agonizing Blast and Eldritch Spear

Spells:

• Leveled Spells: Arms of Hadar

Level Four: Warlock (Level 3)

Continuing even further into his studies, he can now summon his inkling familiar, Doco.

Pact Boon: Pact of the Chain – flavoring the pseudodragon as his inkling

Spells:

               Leveled Spells: Suggestion

Level Five: Bard (Level 2)

At this point, Killian is at the end of his block story. He learns about his skills with lighter magic, that he can be a force to build and heal rather than just to weaken and tear down.

Spells:

               Leveled Spells: Healing Word

That’s my take on the first few levels for playing Killian Lu as a DnD character. For further leveling, I would probably pick College of Eloquence when leveling up into Bard level 3. After that, would you give into inky darkness and continue developing your ink magic skills as a warlock, or embrace the path of light as a bard?

Some creator tags: @flavoracle​@kor-artificer​@loreleywrites​