Songs of Sorrow and Strife

Forgotten Realms • 1357 DR • Freeform Universal RPG

Myth Drannor has fallen. The Retreat has begun. But not every elf has abandoned Cormanthor.

You are a bladesinger, one of a handful of elven warriors who have remained behind to defend the ancient forest and its secrets. You protect refugees, safeguard magical vaults, and stand against the devils, undead, Zhentarim, and other opportunists prowling the ruins of elvendom's greatest city.

The mythal is failing. Ancient evils stir. And perhaps, against impossible odds, Myth Drannor might someday rise again.

The Game

Songs of Sorrow and Strife is a fast-paced, narrative-driven play-by-post campaign inspired by the four-color action of comic books. Expect spectacular swordplay, explosive magic, desperate heroics, and memorable one-liners.

CLANG! Steel meets steel! KABOOM! Eldritch fire tears through the darkness!

Posts should be short, punchy, and cinematic—generally a single paragraph describing your hero's actions. Think comic-book panels rather than lengthy prose. Deep monologues and elaborate descriptions aren't necessary. Bold action and creative improvisation are encouraged.

We will use Peril Planet's Freeform Universal RPG, a lightweight, tag-based system emphasizing narrative freedom over mechanical complexity. No D&D character sheets, complicated builds, or extensive rules knowledge required. Characters are defined by evocative descriptors, distinctive fighting styles, magical talents, and ancestral weapons with unique powers.

Players describe their actions, frame meaningful risks, and roll dice to determine outcomes. Successes can be spectacular; failures introduce complications that propel the story forward.

Character Creation

All player characters are elven bladesingers who remained in Cormanthor after the Retreat. Each hero possesses:

• A memorable name, brief description, motivation, and personal connection.

• A Physical Descriptor, Mental Descriptor, and Flaw.

• A Combat Edge and Arcane Edge.

• A sentient ancestral weapon with a magical domain, up to three distinctive powers, and a thematic drawback.

• A few pieces of notable equipment and one magical consumable.

• Two FU Points, used to influence rolls, activate exceptional powers, or overcome extraordinary obstacles.

Character creation is quick and collaborative. We'll work together to ensure that every bladesinger has a distinctive identity, fighting style, and magical repertoire.

Expectations

Posting Frequency: 2–4 times per week.

Players Wanted: 2–3.

Style: Short, energetic, cinematic posts. A paragraph of action is usually sufficient.

Tone: Heroic fantasy with genuine peril, ancient mysteries, desperate battles, and occasional dark consequences.

Player Agency: High. Creative solutions, improvisation, and narrative contributions are encouraged.

Rules Philosophy: Fiction first. No rules-lawyering, tactical grid combat, or lengthy mechanical debates. Players should be comfortable with GM adjudication, meaningful consequences, and a collaborative, high-trust approach.

Campaign Length: Initially a short, self-contained adventure—essentially a comic-book issue. If everyone enjoys the experience, we may continue with interconnected episodic missions.

Familiarity with Forgotten Realms lore is welcome but not essential. Enthusiasm for elven high fantasy, cinematic combat, and collaborative storytelling matters much more.

Applying

Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 17, at noon PST.

Create a bladesinger using the guidelines above, then select one of six dramatic audition scenarios.

Write a single paragraph describing your hero's attempted action, including a little personality and a memorable flourish. Frame a Beat-the-Odds question with an implied risk or consequence. Finally, provide a brief example of what might happen for each of the six possible die results.

We're looking for players who can embrace the spirit of the game: bold heroes, dangerous choices, imaginative magic, and action that leaps off the page.

The forests of Cormanthor have not yet sung their final song. Will your blade join the chorus?