VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
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Nestled on the northern Sword Coast, between Neverwinter Wood and the Sword Mountains, is the town of Phandalin. Centuries ago, Phandalin was a thriving settlement with deep ties to its neighboring communities. But then bandits overran the town, and Phandalin lay abandoned for centuries.
Only in the past few years have settlers built a new village on the ruins of the old. These townfolk hope to grow Phandalin through hard work, camaraderie, and the shared purpose of building a lasting home. Threatening their efforts and their survival are bandits, brigands, and monsters.
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Buried Truths of Phandalin
- Bandits are a known menace in the region, but recently there's been rumors of goblins in the area.
- Hundreds of years ago, Phandalin was the setting for a pact between humans, gnomes, and dwarves.
- There was once a source of great riches and magical energy in the region.
- One specific band of brigands has been striking terror into the hearts of the locals, led by the mysterious "Glasstaff."
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Our Intrepid Heroes
Each of you were in the city of Neverwinter and were hired by a local businessman, a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker. He has tasked you with escorting a wagon of supplies to the town of Phandalin. He has gone ahead with a warrior, Sildar Hallwinter, to attend to business in town while you follow with the supplies. You will be paid 10gp each by the owner of Barthen's Provisions in Phandalin when you deliver the wagon safely to that trading post.
You Begin...on the Triboar Trail
Just south of Neverwinter, you are leading a wagon and its two oxen to the frontier town of Phandalin. One player will have to drive the wagon (no skill required) and the rest can ride on, walk along, or scout ahead, in an effort to protect the precious cargo.
Your Character in the World
Characters begin at 1st level. You can choose character options from the Player's Handbook, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, and races from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse.
If you've chosen one of the following backgrounds, I can provide a character hook possibility to further tie you in to this particular story, just tell me if you're interested: Acolyte, Charlatan, Criminal, Entertainer, Folk Hero, Guild Artisan, Hermit, Noble, Outlander, Sage, Sailor, Soldier.
Other Orders of Business
Character Advancement
We will be using the Milestone method of character leveling, gaining a level after specific goals are accomplished. Typically you will level up once per chapter, and this is how we will end each chapter.
Character Creation
You should use this thread to decide amongst yourselves if any of your characters are in any way connected to other members of the party prior to this adventure. Also, I always ask players to consider the question "why is my character an adventurer?"
I prefer characters to be created with Standard Array stats rather than rolling for stats, but seeing as characters were created prior to the adventure, instead I'll be checking your character sheets for any balance concerns before the first chapter begins, and I'll either bring up any concerns in this thread or via DM.
I do allow for Feats to be chosen instead of a stat point increase at applicable levels, but please check with me as to which Feat you are interested in as some are potentially game breaking.
Miscellaneous Bits
Critical Hits: For crits in combat, I instead of the "doubling dice" method outlined in the basic rules, I prefer the following method: roll one damage die, and then add the maximum possible result to that number. For example, for a critical hit with a broadsword, do 1d8+8 damage instead of 2d8. This ensures that your critical will never do less damage than a regular hit.
Critical Checks: A nat20 will TYPICALLY ensure success on a check, but within reason. For a rough example, you cannot "Intimidate" the Big Bad Boss into killing himself. (Okay, maybe with an insanely good role play to go along with it...)
Spell Materials: A lot of spells require certain components to cast. If you want you can absolutely role play acquiring these materials. But if you wish, I will allow you to simply deduct the cost of the item from your money and we will assume you purchased the material at some point during your adventures.
Spell Tweaks: Feel free to change the flavor of your spell effects to fit your character, as long as it doesn't change the effect of the spell.
Resting: You only get 2 Short Rests before you need to take a Long Rest. Also the time spent resting may have consequences in the world. For example: if a building is on fire and you take a rest before trying to help, it may be too late.
@Tubby23
@TD
@The Flame
@GwJumpman
@shortkut
For some reason, you tagging me didn't actually notify me but I saw the thread in What's New and clicked. So just in case others didn't get a notification, @TD @The Flame @GwJumpman @shortkut
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Yeah I was wondering if it would work if I edited in the tags. Something I've long been curious about.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
It's more just a character motivation thing to help you be in character, feel free to use it, modify it, or dismiss it altogether:
"You spent your youth with a guardian who lived a simple life in the wilds outside Phandalin, but later you moved to the city. Now an adult, you've decided to return to the area where you feel most at home."
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Yes please, but if too difficult I also understand
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Its not an issue at all
I’m interested
connected with Tortle Dude from our adventuring past. I have why my character is an adventurer on DnDB
I’m open to any and all criticismI’m not really sure what feats are
Do I have anything in my inventory that I shouldn’t at this point? The only thing I added outside the default was a crossbow and bolts
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Yes. This.
I don't meet any of the backgrounds.
I did a roll for stats but if I need to adjust let me know.
Hello, Here for the D&D Campaign, I am Kutshort Yes
@VashTheStampede I rolled for my stats, so let me know if you want me to redo them. Didn't look OP to me, but I'm fine with whatever. Also it was mentioned before that we'd hash out my race more in Session 0, so here's a couple different versions I found that have some decent ideas we could work with:
www.dandwiki.com
www.worldanvil.com
Like I said, I'm not really picky about my racial feats and such, but obviously the Flight and Talons should probably be replaced.
Looks like I'll have to spend some of my gold on bolts because I don't think my crossbow came with any. I was hoping to maybe trade in my light crossbow for a hand crossbow if possible, but I'm probably going to DM you about my ideas first in case I need to change some plans.
For background I chose entertainer, but I have a vague enough backstory on my sheet so I probably don't need a hook. Nootie's kind of a loner at the moment, so I imagine he's not connected to anyone else. Unless TD wants to combine our bard powers and say I tagged along with you two after performing together or something. Not sure if that's fitting to your character(s) or not. Doesn't look like we can view our party member's backstories on DNDB. Either way, I'm going to be telling myself that someone in the party convinced Nootie that adventuring life is worth it prior to taking Gundren's job, because my dumbass made a character that's afraid of danger lol.
Penguin Aarakocra (5e Race Variant) - D&D Wiki
Worldbuilding and RPG Campaign Management | World Anvil
Worldbuilding and RPG Campaign Management tools for all Storytellers, Dungeon Masters and fiction Authorss
www.worldanvil.com
Like I said, I'm not really picky about my racial feats and such, but obviously the Flight and Talons should probably be replaced.
Looks like I'll have to spend some of my gold on bolts because I don't think my crossbow came with any. I was hoping to maybe trade in my light crossbow for a hand crossbow if possible, but I'm probably going to DM you about my ideas first in case I need to change some plans.
For background I chose entertainer, but I have a vague enough backstory on my sheet so I probably don't need a hook. Nootie's kind of a loner at the moment, so I imagine he's not connected to anyone else. Unless TD wants to combine our bard powers and say I tagged along with you two after performing together or something. Not sure if that's fitting to your character(s) or not. Doesn't look like we can view our party member's backstories on DNDB. Either way, I'm going to be telling myself that someone in the party convinced Nootie that adventuring life is worth it prior to taking Gundren's job, because my dumbass made a character that's afraid of danger lol.
@The Flame, every time I see you post here, I wonder when @Kat decided to join us for D&D
I think based on our limited interaction in the previous tavern, not that it's canon, we call roll with Nootie and Tortle Dude being strangers.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
"You're wanted for crimes in Neverwinter, and perhaps you're exiled from the city. Phandalin is a small bastion of civilization where you can lie low and no one will be the wiser."
If you do end up using something like this, I am very interested to eventually hear about how you and Tortle Dude first hooked up and if he's familiar with your criminal past.
So, at certain levels depending on your class you get the option to increase one of your base stats. Instead of doing that, you can choose to select a "Feat" which is basically like a...talent your character has.
Just a couple examples:
Alert - Always on the lookout for danger, you gain the following benefits:
- You gain a +5 bonus to initiative.
- You can't be "surprised" when you are conscious.
- Other creatures don't gain advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being hidden from you.
Dual Wielder - You master fighting with two weapons, gaining the following benefits:
- You gain a +1 bonus to AC while you are wielding a separate melee weapon in each hand.
- You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one-handed melee weapons you are wielding aren't light.
- You can draw or stow two one-handed weapons when you would normally be able to draw or stow only one.
Keen Mind - You have a mind that can track time, direction, and detail with uncanny precision. You gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- You always know which way is North.
- You always know the number of hours left before the next sunrise or sunset.
- You can accurately recall anything you have seen or heard within the past month.
My main rule with Feats is that it has to fit your character, and not just be for min/max purposes.
Did you subtract the cost of those items from your gold? If so, you're good. Stats look good too.
If you want to choose to sell your shortbow and arrows and just go with the hand crossbow I'm cool with that too.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
I want my character to be the type of person who tries to talk his way out of situations or past guards if he needs to get through somewhere. Does that work with this type of background? Maybe I stole something I shouldn’t have, or I romanced the mayor’s daughter years ago and now she’s the mayor and hates me for ghosting her. I have no idea
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Just need @GwJumpman to pop into the campaign, and also to hear back from @The Flame via DM (working on a couple tweaks for a special subrace) and we should be just about ready to start.
I'm aiming to kick things off on Saturday if possible. Friday is Movie Night, which is sacred in my house.
I'm aiming to kick things off on Saturday if possible. Friday is Movie Night, which is sacred in my house.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Take a look at Charlatan, maybe see if that fits your flavor any better?
Much better… except it won’t let me change the personality traits/ideals/bonds/flaws that I set up when I selected criminal background
@VashTheStampede i updated my character and the pdf
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Dunno if it really fits you well but:
"You've planned your latest get-rich-quick scheme. The townspeople of Phandalin have never heard of what you're selling, and you hope to establish a customer base."
Nah, I’ll pass
Yeah I've been toying with templates because I kinda miss how you could set default colors and fonts on the old site, but honestly I feel weird being the only one and I'm probably just going to make it my D&D dialogue color instead to keep things simple. I keep forgetting to use it anyway. Kat has good taste though, orange is best color.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Before we get started, by any chance is there one of you that would be interested in switching to my other campaign?
Unfortunately we've had a couple drop out and if one person switches over from this campaign, we'd have 2 parties of 4.
Unfortunately we've had a couple drop out and if one person switches over from this campaign, we'd have 2 parties of 4.
Feel free to swap me otherwise if you feel Nootie would round out that team better. Or if they have a lot of night owls. I'm in the US but I'll be more active later since I work 2nd shift, so it's probably more like EU/early Aussie times. I'm cool with either.
(If Vash's campaigns were WWE branches, are we Raw or Smackdown? It's important to know if we're on the cool show or not)
(If Vash's campaigns were WWE branches, are we Raw or Smackdown? It's important to know if we're on the cool show or not)
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That’s how I feel. Whichever you think makes for 2 more even teams, both in terms of player skill and class, I’m okay with
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
@The Flame I'm gonna slide you over to the other campaign if you're still cool with that.
I think the timing will work out a little better and I like the idea of keeping Kutshort and Tortle together.
I think the timing will work out a little better and I like the idea of keeping Kutshort and Tortle together.
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
Sounds good
Also, I’m okay if you need to do a “group roll for initiative” like Ben mentioned if you think it will improve the pace of play
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
VashTheStampede
Caterpillar Accountant
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