https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86997163

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/87002153

Gruumsh has few more dedicated servants to both his Storm and War domains than Areruk and Rasizi Hillman. Fearsome fighters dedicated to the tempestuous nature of a chaotic battle, channeling and focusing that violence to devastating effect. Though they are very profitable mercenaries, they rarely have any gold on hand due to their lavish spending habits & their tendency to be docked pay for damages caused to their employer's camp before & after any battles. Rumors of conflict near Greenest have them seeking what fights they may be able to find.

I wanted to create a martial & magical duo to close out my month of characters and specifically I wanted to explore the synergy that can come from creating thematically paired fighters. I also wanted to bond them in a less traditional/trope-y way than typical fantasy heroes.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86878319

Zairos Blacktongue slithers around the Underdark, hunting foes and beasts alike for pay. Specializing in intelligent creatures, she uses her Serpentine Spellcasting abilities to approach without disturbing the creatures that make the Underdark home. Recently jobs have been running thin and she's been forced to take work on the surface world, taking jobs from the Zhentarim to get by.

Until recently I assumed that Yuan-ti were sort of like Naga and only had the lower body of a snake. Seeing the official illustrations in the books and identifying the Chthonic nature of the Yuan-Ti made them a perfect fit for the Underdark

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86875151

When it came time for Princess Sylqyn Therondil to choose between her holy order and allegiance to her family, she chose to break her oath to her god to keep the one to her kin. Accustomed to her power and unwilling to forsake it, she bound herself  to a new deity that was more suited to her family ambition. Now a devotee of Bhaal, she is a fierce enforcer for house Therondil and their malevolent machinations. 

For this character I wanted to create a classic black knight type, foil to the traditional idea of a paladin. Through the choice of feats and gear, I wanted to tell the story of a fearsome and ruthless combatant.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86568412

Dr Sidney Vissel gives treatment to the sick, succor to the dying, and mercy to the condemned. He strives for perfection in his craft to a fanatical degree, even striving to practice on the unwilling that he deems unworthy. When crossed, he uses poisons and elixirs to take his targets unawares, and captures them for experimentation later. He now wants to observe a battlefield to see what combat healing might be like.

I wanted a way to try and twist a class that's generally altruistic and see if I could make it darker. An "Angel of Death" type killer has access and knowledge to do a serious amount of damage.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86670760

In dwarven mines, death is an inevitability. One of the ways the miners have found to mitigate this risk is to use undead laborers in dangerous mines. Unfortunately the mine that Dun'Grazzt the Necromancer worked in was finally depleted and she was forced to strike out adventuring. Traveling south from the Sword Mountains, she has arrived recently in Elturgard seeking work.

I wanted to explore the idea of a non-evil necromancer. Seeing the Duergar I though of all the mining implications and designed Dun'Grazzt as an industrial wizard.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86662749

Ralakas trekked into the mountains to explore her infernal heritage and commune with her ancestors. In the course of her study and meditation, she made contact with The Fiend, and forged a pact for power and control of demonic forces. With her familiar Zaxx, she continues to pursue dark powers at any cost.

I was going for a classic summoner warlock, sort of mirroring my first WoW character.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86570864

Ekko has a very unique set of skills that the Zhentarim require of him. He infiltrates, assassinates, and then replaces his targets as he exfiltrates, leaving them to be reported as disappeared. A cruel being, Ekko gets a visceral thrill in getting away in a murder, viewing it as a game.

I created Ekko initially as a serial-killer and infiltrator, and only at the end realizing I could tie him to the Zhentarim. Getting in to spooky season I've decided to create scarier or evil characters.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86553106

The creature known only as Blightwind knows nothing of his past, only that he has been returned by the Raven Queen to do her bidding. Stalking and striking in the dark, he is aided by his summoned demon Khem-our, who uses the darkness spell to blind and disorient his enemies. Fearing that his power and very life can be withdrawn, he is unquestioning in his loyalty to the Raven Queen, and will do whatever she asks.

I'm a couple days late getting this posted & I wanted to ramp up on the spooky factor for the few leading up to halloween. The concept of a deity wanting so much control in a servant that they perform what amounts to super-necromancy is what led me to the Reborn

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86441023

Thamuz is the leader of the Warspike clan that is invading the Thranwood. A brutal and ruthless leader, Thamuz has assumed his position through violence and intimidation. Working with his shadowy benefactors, they have begun defiling the trees & sacred grounds of the forest. The Wardens have only recently discovered their activity and are investigating, but Thamuz hasn't left much of a trail behind.

I needed a recurring villain for the beginning of my homebrew campaign, and here he is.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/86214332

Miyoku roams the countryside of Tethyr, righting wrongs and protecting the innocent. He's become a legend among the common folk who often feel neglected by their nobles. During an altercation where he was protecting townfolk from corrupt officials he was forced to kill their escorts and escape into the woods> Now he continues his work while a fugitive to the best of his ability, never staying in one place long.

Obviously this is my version of Usagi Yojimbo, and is my first attempt to replicate a pop culture character in 5e. I think it works pretty well, especially if you reskin a scimitar and short sword as a katana and wakizashi.