Qurr the Birbarian - Building Better Backstories with Jay (D&D 5e)

Explicit content warning

08/15/22 • 23 min

Jay brings Qurr to the table. Qurr is an Aarakocra Barbarian on a mission to prove herself to the goddess Syranita.
Jay and I discuss how introducing randomness into character building can help bring characters to life, creating detailed backstories that leave room for growth, how an aarakocra might adjust to a city built for non-flying characters, and how even a pun can inspire a character.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Jay is a retired U.S. Navy Broadcast Journalist, a High School English Teacher, and the creator of Better Backstories. She is also a D&D Dungeon Master, a cosplayer, and she identifies as a non-binary femizenter.
Learn more about Jay at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/jay
Character Artwork by Blazbaros
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blazbaros/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blazbaros
DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/blazbaros

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Cover art by The Curiographer
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Thanks for listening, and may all your characters find their stories!

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Cover art by The Curiographer
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Bart Biggityburg, Tortle Marathon Runner - Playing Against Type with Mxlpxl (D&D 5e)

Andrew Rahman brings Bart Biggityburg to the table. Bart is a Tortle Drakewarden Ranger who has trained to be a championship marathon runner.
Andrew and I discuss turning the tables on common misconceptions about what a character can do, finding inspiration in myth and fable, and using game mechanics to tell a story.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Andrew Rahman has been playing D&D for 10 years in his home, at local game stores, gaming conventions, and now online. He's introduced hundreds of players to the game and specializes in introductory games that show off virtual tabletop magic. The focus in his games is inclusivity and having fun. When not playing D&D he enjoys making content on TikTok, hanging out with his toddler, and playing video games.
Learn more about Andrew at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/andrew-rahman
Character Art from Hero Forge: https://www.heroforge.com

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Cover art by The Curiographer
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Requiem, the Reluctant Tiefling - Searching for Found Family with Neineyes (D&D 5e)

Stevie brings Requiem to the table. Requiem is a Tiefling Warlock who pledged her service to Asmodeus to save her girlfriend, losing everything in the process.
Stevie and I discuss the unique origins of the tiefling race, finding inspiration in unusual places, living your authentic self in TTRPGs, and how the idea of found family is central both to D&D and to the queer community.
This character is built for D&D 5e.
Stevie is currently a grad student studying to become a mental health counselor and enjoys DMing and playing D&D and Pathfinder.
Learn more about Stevie at:
https://www.characterswithoutstories.com/guests/stevie

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Cover art by The Curiographer
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Characters Without Stories - Qurr the Birbarian - Building Better Backstories with Jay (D&D 5e)

Transcript

Star00:00:00.450

Hello friends, welcome to characters without stories, a TTRPG podcast about the roads not yet traveled. I'm Celeste and you can call me star. If you play tabletop role playing games, you probably have some back pocket characters characters who are just waiting for the right story. Every episode, I'll bring in a friend to tell me about their character and their approach to creating characters. This episode, I'm joined by Jay. Jay and I met on Tiktok, w