Mcdm Chain - Blog Posts
Chain OC idea (again)
Fetter
Vanirman Monk (subclass tbd)
She’s on the taller side (not for a Vanirman but sure compared to the rest of the world), and fit af. Honestly though, she’s pretty average for a Vanirman, the only variation being her somewhat darker hair.
A woman of few words, she almost exclusively uses Chain Sign - theories vary as to why: can’t speak common, doesn’t have a tongue, is just fucking with everyone, etc. Nonetheless she manages to be plenty expressive and get her point across.
She is a very big fan of the general adage: better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Independent by her own nature and her upbringing in the north, she respects rules that come from a place of strength and wisdom, but doesn’t care for authority for the sake of authority.
While no stranger to a fight, she’s slow to provoke with a generally easy-going attitude. She prefers to prove herself against forces far beyond her - nature itself.
Along with her general martial prowess, she’s well known for being an adept mountain climber and spelunker, having learned on the harsh glaciers of the north. She can often be found free climbing whatever happens to be around: cliffs, chasms, castles, and whatnot.
Unusual for a Vanirman, she favors fighting with her fists and improvised weapons. She’s particularly fond of using chains and pitons (which she has on her for scaling particularly intense slopes), and has frequently been known to use the chains as wraps to make her strikes that much more devastating.
She also doesn’t wear armor, but exclusively wears long sleeves (but you still see hella muscle definition tho). Rumor is that she has intense tattoos twisting up her arms that she’s hiding, but most people think that’s ridiculous.
Joined the Chain to see more of the world. She particularly respects the variety of skills the various members of the Chain display.
(Probably an Advancer/Green Boot cause I think she’d make for a good scout in addition to assailant).
new chain oc
Scrumpy.
Hes like hops of hops was a feral halfling twink instead of a buff dwarf lady that's trying her best
I’ve had this sitting around for ages without posting it. Here is my chain OC along with his notes
Sgt. Chapel
Tiefling Fighter
Background
Chapel is a lifer in the Chain. He has been in the Chain since before he had to shave. His mother found refuge from their extensive personal debts in Alloy by marriage to a retiring soldier. Though not a kind man Chapel’s new father taught him everything he knew about fighting. Every dirty trick , every easy scam and every story about the only people you could count on. Childhood was tough as he and his mother were the only tieflings in the village he grew up in. Having realized that there was precious little good will for a half devil child Chapel turned to petty theft and vandalism early on.
When he was a teenager his mother became gravely ill. He read the writing on the wall and in the eyes of his neighbours. He stripped the new thatch roof off the local church and then sold it to a travelling merchant. Chapel used the proceeds to make his own way eventually finding the Chain.
Chapel has found a peace of sorts and now he lives his life for his comrades. He used to have side businesses going while the Chain was in any given place. A habit he learned from his adopted father. But he has long since given up on a life outside the Chain.
While in Alloy Chapel settled a few old scores with some Chain buddies.
Appearance
A big powerfully built tiefling with a mischievous crooked grin. His jaw has been broken and reset slightly off. His left eye socket is covered with an eye patch. His horns are covered in recent sword and claw marks from the escape from Blackbottom. He’s missing parts of several fingers.
Personality Traits
Loyal
Indulgent
Tribal
Ideals
Be direct but be prepared to win before the fight
Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat
Bonds
I would die for the Chain
The Chain are the only family I have
I always have time for my family
Flaws
I can’t make a life for myself anywhere else
I don’t want to be an officer
Painted me as Buts, cosplay one day? idk
An odd idea I got in my head a while ago that I thought might be fun to share:
What with the prevalence of reporters in the Stays and interest surrounding the Chain, I thought it might be interesting to consider one of these journalists approaching rank and file Chain members for interviews (sort of mockumentary style). While on the one hand I think Chain members know better than to blab, on the other hand what if this was sanctioned by the higher ups to drum up some good press and attract recruits. Maybe even conducted under the watchful eye of a Junior Officer (I’m assuming Two Shoes as the only one trusted and responsible enough for the project but who knows).
I’m far from an expert in journalism, but here goes:
Alright, well, why don’t we start at the beginning: Where did you join the Chain of Acheron?
So, as far as I understand, Helltroopers get pretty descriptive nicknames when they join up. What’s the story behind yours?
And what attracted you to the Chain initially? What was your first impression on joining? Has that impression changed lately?
Has anything really surprised you since joining the company? Any particular memories that stand out to you?
Why have you stayed on with the Chain? Do you see yourself sticking with the company for much longer?
And how exactly do you contribute to the Chain? Do you ever see yourself as doing more and moving up the ranks?
Do you have any beliefs or convictions apart from membership in the Chain?
I’ve heard that Helltroopers leave their old lives behind, but what was your life like before you joined the Chain?
What’s the most challenging thing about being a member of the Chain?
If you could direct the Chain’s next action, what would you have the company do?
What is your opinion on the Senior officers?
Any Helltroopers, officers or otherwise, you have a problem with?
What do you know about the Chain of Acheron’s intensions here in Capital?
I imagined this as starting out like a human interest piece that escalates into an interrogation.
Please feel free to add in your Helltrooper responses and reactions, and even add/expand questions if ya like!
Matt: Mortal beings, like the Chain of Acheron
Tom (copper), vaguely offended: “Mortal?”
The Demonslaying Greatsword
Painted the Moon Elf calling forth Exile from whatever Abyss it has been forged in.
Side note, how tf do artists juggle commissions, multiple social networks, personal work, life in general, social life, and even a day job on top? Like damn, I barely can keep up and I’m not even doing all of the above…
members of the chain (?)! blue and buts!
I heard that there were people making ocs for the chain and I’m slight temptation
https://www.reddit.com/r/mattcolville/comments/axlq5p/spoiler_the_cult_of_nails/ I’m sorry followers, but I may never shut up about Nails. I was thinking about this idea as well, and honestly it’s my favourite possibility opened up by the Nails scene. I just really like the idea that circumstances beyond his own control quickly turned Nails into a developing god, and whether Sweet’s sacrifice to save his friend’s humanity truly stopped his ascension or not doesn’t matter, because belief is what makes gods and saints, and the common soldiers of The Chain eventually make prayers to Nails to look out for all of them, like he always tried to do in (mortal) life, and to Sweet, as a saint representing the foolhardiness and self-sacrifice that members of the Chain praise. The comment where someone said “A lesser deity of mercenaries and lost causes,” fits too well, and in my mind, Sweet’s sacrifice was what kept Nails’ humanity from diminishing; the moment where this infantile deity was no longer the universal threat Omega Nails, but he became Silver Eyes, deified protector of the Chain.
It seems like people in chat don’t get that the idea of a magician’s ‘true name’ having power over them is something that’s almost a constant in fantasy. It’s as much a “reference” as fighting a dragon ‘references’ Beowulf.
I drew a bunch of OCs from our little Chain group!
Bags is mine Mint is @hubbleablubble / @mint-mcmonk Paisley is @wojtekbc Haft is @pantographicclone Cherry is @thesandman115 Footpad is @xynnos Hops is @zarozinia Hawthorn is @fisyx Beebee is @krunk-mcdunk / @the-zoa
Playlist for Helltrooper Beebee
Parakeet - Damon Albarn
Back when life was slow, before his name was Beebee, all this kid wanted to do was sit up in his tree and read. Maybe pelt a few wanks with his slingshot, take em on a good chase. It was quiet. He’d look out over the rooftops of his town and sing a little tune. He still does all that from time to time. Just keeps a better eye out for house fires.
Seasoned Oak - Daniel Pemberton
Sprinting through the woods surrounding town. Learning how to dodge trees, climbing anything and everything, falling on his ass and getting back up. Firing a bow so many times his fingers would bleed, not stopping till he hit his target enough times to be satisfied. The only thing he can’t outrun is that damned cat…
The Wrong Company - Flogging Molly
After joining up with the Chain, there were a lot of watering holes to get kicked out of. This is Beebee’s go to song - once he’s drunk enough at least.
Romanian Wind - Hans Zimmer
He may not look it - he’s tall and fairly broad shouldered, and he never takes off that coat - but Beebee has the moves on the rare occasions that he dances. It takes plenty of drink to get him singing, but you can tell he’s gone once he stands up to dance. Especially because he’ll let Elbee gracefully balance on his shoulders the whole time.
Swagger - Flogging Molly
Sloshed beyond belief, potentially lost, and having a damn good time. The goal every night he drinks. And the night he doesn’t drink is the night he’s dead.
Fix My Life - Melt Yourself Down
Like the sun is sure to rise, Beebee is sure to piss of the wrong person. Probably had it comin to em. Thing is, there’s a point when you’re squaring off against a meathead twice your size and half a dozen of his friends that you think to yourself “fuck” and book it. The cat can catch up. What else is new?
Assassins Breath - Daniel Pemberton
Sheer focus. Aiming an arrow, hearing that thud and seeing the target fall down - onto the next one. It never really stops, but does he even want it to?
Tried not to have doubles of artists on here but fuck it. Also, I couldn’t find a song that was exclusively about protecting Geddit, but that’s only because it hasn’t been written yet.
C2, F1, G3, Z1
Finally have a chance to get this answered!
C2 - I can’t help but immediately think of that stereotypical butt-in-the-air sleeping position because it would be hilarious, but in a serious sense Hawthorn probably sleeps in whatever position he hits the bed in, usually on his stomach.
F1 - Like a true dwarf, he loves to carouse, but in his spare non-party times, Hawthorn likes to watch birds - there aren’t many in the Khemhara and certainly not underground, and he’s fascinated by them.
G3 - He’s so thoroughly unaffected by alcohol that you always have someone watching out for your drunk ass, and he’s fiercely loyal. Once you earned his trust he’ll kill for you. Seriously. He’ll do it. Just point him at the bastard.
Z1 - As mentioned before, he’s fascinated by birds, of all kinds. But his heart lies with giant lizards. They’re like the horses of Khemite Dwarves. He used to ride them all the time and that is an experience.
Chain OC time
Name: Smoke Race: Human Class: Cleric Height/Weight: 5′5″ish/180 lbs Bio: One of the few clerics for the Greenboots, he marched under Red’s command and now King’s. Wielding a spear and a shield, he’s more used as fighting retreat or to hold a position as other Greenboots rush in to defend him. Nicknamed Smoke due to his first day with the Chain, coming in with a short wooden pipe, and insisting on setting up the camp fire. He was there for most of the Alloy campaign, but joined right before the Chain left for Alloy. Heavy drinker.
I love the Chain for so many reasons (players, plot, community, characters…) but one thing I really love and I think is just awesome about it is Matt’s original reason for wanting to stream it, which was just “I want you to see the DM things I’m telling you to do in action.”
And it’s really working. Watching the Chain always energizes me and watching Matt DM is just such a good model. Every session I’ve DMed since the stream began (3, or maybe 4?) I’ve felt more and more comfortable in my abilities. Matt is just very candid with the players and the audience and I think that’s a good style for a lot of newish DMs
C2, F1, G1, G2, J1, Z1
C2: In what position do they sleep?
Mint likes to curl up around things, including pillows, blankets, small animals, and other helltroopers. God help the soul who they fall asleep next to, before you know it you’ll have a monk clinging to you like glue.
F1: What do they do for fun?
Dumb Shit. Mint is (usually) fully aware when an idea is a bad one, but they think a little excitement is highly needed in everyone’s life. When not trying to wrangle snakes and telling white lies, they enjoy spending time with their fellow helltroopers, catching drinks at the tavern and telling outrageous stories around the fire.
(Also really likes to garden)
G1: What is their most attractive external feature?
Hmm probably their eyes or their smile! Their eyes are a real nice brown and are constantly twinkling with mirth, whereas when they smile a genuine, non-smirky smile, it lights up their whole face.
G2: What is the most attractive part of their personality?
When Mint decides they care about you, they really care about you. They don’t express this with words, but instead by being able to pick up on when you’re down, and trying to cheer you up. This can be in the form of random gifts, a nice act, or actually listening to what you say (i.e Paisley).
J1: What makes them happy?
Others believing the ridiculous shit they spout, seeing their friends having fun, The Chain being victorious, seeing something they planted grow big, rain. Stuff like that.
Z1: What is their favourite animal?
Mice or snails! Mint likes how sneaky + cute mice are, and thinks snails are ~effervescent~ (no but seriously, they really like snails. When they find one on a journey, will often pick one up and let it crawl around their hand and coo at it)
L1 L3 C1
L1: What is their favourite fruit?
Mint really likes strawberries! In fact, when Mint probably used to have a bunch of strawberry bushes back when they had a garden.
L3: Any foods they hate?
Salted fish and/or pickled vegetables. They don’t like salt, for whatever reason. They will drink vinegar straight though, so who knows.
C1: How do they sit in a chair?
Like a fucking heathen. Mint has never sat normal in a chair Ever. They usually squat on the chair, but will try to lie down on it. Somehow manages to sit upside down. It’s a sight to behold.
L1 L4 G1 A4 H2
L1. what is their favorite fruit?Oranges. L4. do they have any food intolerances?Nope, not that I can think of.G1. what is their most attractive external feature?Hmm… Hair or cheekbones, probably. He’s quite a pretty boy.A4. what things are they bad at?He’s not the strongest lad. Sure, he could hold up as a body in a shield wall, but not for nearly as long as most of the other Helltroopers. A stiff breeze stands a good chance of knocking him on his arse. He thinks he’s more insightful than he is. A dozen smaller things that I wrote out but realised this answer took up 75% of the post.H2. do they prefer summer or winter?Paisley is a summer lad.
C1 F2 R2 Z1
C1. how do they sit in a chair?Legs up on the table or ankle on knee.F2. what is their ideal party?All of the lads singing their hearts out in a comfy tavern with decent food.R2. would they be a strict or laid-back parent?Well, he doesn’t want to be a strict parent. I think he’s naturally pretty laid back but he has experience being the sensible one. So I think he’d probably be laid-back within the bounds of “please don’t do something stupid enough to make me be strict because Gods know I can and will.”Z1. what’s their favorite animal?Ohhh, I hadn’t even thought about this, good question! I think Paisley’s favourite animal might be a kingfisher! I think he’s pretty fond of animals in general, but I think there’s something special about the image of a young Paisley seeing kingfishers off the docks, and having this colourful, hovering little bird being one of his first illusions.
A1, C1, F1 and J1 for Paisley!
A1. what are your oc’s natural abilities, things they’ve been doing since young?He probably started his illusions quite young, beyond those I think he’s an apt duelist and a decent singer. By no stretch of the imagination is he on par with a renowned minstrel or swordsman, but he’s definitely talented to some degree.I did C1 earlier so I’ll do C2C2. in what position do they sleep?Freefalling, flat on his stomach.F1. what do they do for fun?While on the job with the Chain he’d enjoy cards and music, and whatever stories the Helltroopers have to tell. In a larger city I think he’d pass his time with whatever books, be they histories or otherwise, he could get his hands on, and he’s genuinely a fan of the opera / whatever theatre is accessible.J1. what makes them happy?Learning something new. Seeing his talents have an impact. Seeing his comrades healthy and smiling. Seeing the problematic Helltroopers acting sensible enough to not be a problem. Heartfelt 2AM rooftop convos with his dearest lads. Remembering the good parts of home.
C1 F2 R2 Z1
how do they sit in a chair? Footpad almost exclusively sits cross-legged where possible
what is their ideal party? One with lots going on but they can easily slip away unnoticed.
would they be a strict or laid-back parent? I honestly can’t imagine Footpad as a parent but I think laid-back.
what’s their favorite animal? Probably small birds, they are super cute and can fly which is big plus.
A5, C4, C5, F1, Q1, Z1
what is their most impressive talent? Climbing buildings and other acrobatics
what is their major comfort food? why? Probably some Khoursirian food but I wouldn’t know what to be honest.
who is the best at comforting them when down? I think he would look to a big sibling type person, esp a big sisterly person.
what do they do for fun? Sketching and going along with Mint and Paisley’s hair-brained ideas.
do they ask for help? Yeah, I think they have no problem asking for help.
Can I get a fuckin uhhhh G2, N4, Q5, U4, Y5
G2. what is the most attractive part of their personality?Intelligent but not in a way where he ever makes it a competition.N4. what is the most embarrassing thing they’ve done?Probably a thousand things when he was younger in Capital. Probably did some theatrical romantic gestures like singing in the street to the window of someone he was in to, or something similarly so overboard that even his Riojan buddies thought it was a little too far. I think he’d own it, though.Q5. are they curious?To an extent, sure. If it’s some topic he’s interested in, then by all means; testing spells, following music, going to see new performances, trying new food, inspecting something odd on the job, stuff like that. But not the Mint-tier “I wonder what type of feral creature is hissing inside this barrel” curiosity. U4. have they ever been doubted?Yeah. Early on as a Helltrooper, you’d probably doubt his value as a soldier, too, if all he contributes to a bar fight is the opening war cry of “OH FUCK!” as he gets decked by a single hit. Nowadays I think it’s probably more of a joking doubt from the others, like when some crossbowman doesn’t fall for the old “image of a head peaking around the corner” trick and the other troopers are like “Why do we even keep you around.”Y5. what’s your favorite thing about them?That Paisley is so real in my mind. He’s one of the only characters I’ve written that feels genuinely human to me, contradictions and all, even though I don’t have all the details fleshed out and he’s a fair bit less self-inserty than other characters I’ve had in my head. I just hope I can communicate some of it without it seeming stupid lmao.
Give us a lil A5, D4, E5, H3, R1?
A5. what is their most impressive talent?Illusions. Sure, he knows other spells, he’s a decent swordsman, and he’s got a good voice, but illusions are the only thing that he has which is consistently really impressive. He’s got the imagination for it, too.D4. what type of clothes and accessories do they wear?Ha ha. Well Paisley has a red paisley scarf; it’s old but it has held up well. I think the aesthetic is a lot of reds and browns. As for his normal ‘uniform’ I think it’s something along the lines of the clothes in the original moodboard. A nice old coat, sensible boots, nothing baggy enough to be dangerous, a belt with a few pouches full of components, the Chain insignia on a necklace or on a loop off his belt. As for when he’s off duty, he probably has a few nice, light, baggy shirts. He probably hasn’t gone too far from a Riojan style.E5. do they portray their personality intentionally or let people figure it out on their own?He’d make it clear to anyone that he’s friendly enough, but I think he’d let people figure him out beyond any surface level “Oh this guy’s alright.”H3. do they like the snow?Probably likes it for a couple days, or when it’s falling lightly. He probably hates it when it’s constant and he can’t avoid the cold.R1. do they follow rules?In the Chain? Yeah. I think a lot of his sensibility comes from not actively wanting to break the rules like some of the misfit Helltroopers. He’s pretty content being a soldier, so why fuck that up? If it’s harmless fun, or if he’s making sure some delinquent doesn’t die, he’s not axiomatically opposed to breaking rules, though, and he probably wouldn’t follow an objectively bad decision as an order.
C1 F2 R2 Z1
just hops this time
C1 How do they sit in a chair
– normal except completely sideways (arm rests prevent this)
F2 What is her ideal party
– She doesn’t really like parties
R2 Would they be a strict or laid back parent
– Strict but I guess it depends what about
Z1 What is their favorite animal
– real big just sloppy dogs like st bernards or newfoundland or neapolitan mastiff
F2, H2, J2, P1, Z1
again just hops
h2 summer or winter
– She doesnt like either (unless shes in a really mild climate) theres about two weeks of spring and fall that are real nice
j2 what makes them happy
– being useful. success
rest answered already