The quiet, frontier village of Wood Creek has been growing due to the bountiful river alongside it and the abundant nearby resources. Recently, the village elder has struck a deal with a wealthy noble from a larger city: in exchange for eventual taxation rights, this noble will invest in the town's development by supplementing the town guard with his own knights and by financing some development projects.
Right now, the town is split. Although everyone agrees that the growth of Wood Creek will eventually result in the need for more defense (whether due to catching the attention of opportunistic pillagers or simply crowding against some of the more dangerous local fauna), nobody can agree on how to go about it. Some want to secure and renovate an abandoned keep a mile or two outside of town, into which people could retreat in times of trouble (and eventually transplant essential functions permanently into said keep). Others want to harvest large, sturdy logs from the nearby forest and build a town wall to protect people where they are, and simply keep expanding the wall every time the village outgrows it.
The elder put it to a vote of the people, and you've got the swing vote! You've been here a good long while, and the people respect you. Where will you steer the future of Wood Creek, and how will you deal with the consequences of your decisions? Will you bolster this town and help lead it into continued prosperity, or will you cast it into ruin? If you're ready to take action and see it through to the end, then suit up, because the people of Wood Creek are counting on you!
This campaign is a homebrew adventure using the 5E D&D ruleset. It centers around the village of Wood Creek, which lies on the outskirts of civilization, and the surrounding wilderness. The game will start at (approximately) 3rd level and will span at least a few more levels, though the exact endpoint is not set to a specific character level.
Characters in this game are residents of Wood Creek. The village and surrounding area will be the center of the story and action. This will be a campaign in which your choices matter; not only which project you endorse for the town at the outset, but even how you spend your time, what tasks you take on, and how well you complete your objectives. This means there will be a certain degree of "sandbox"-style play in which you can choose where to focus your attention at times, but there will still be a central theme and a clear progression of events for you to follow along with.
Character Creation
- As mentioned earlier, characters are residents of the village of Wood Creek. You also need to be someone in decent standing with the town; no evil, no active criminals, etc. You don't have to be a square-jawed hero, but there needs to be a reason that some folks know your name and aren't interested in calling the guards when they see you.
- All races from the PHB are allowed except drow.
- All classes from the PHB are allowed, but no animal companions/familiars (we've got enough to keep track of with just the players, thanks).
- All backgrounds from the PHB are allowed except for the noble and the spy; the former because it interacts weirdly with the campaign premise, and the latter because it over-sells the capabilities of low-level D&D characters. Custom backgrounds (per the PHB's rules) are allowed.
- Don't bother with the trait/ideal/bond/flaw package, unless you just want to in order to inform your roleplaying. Instead, give me 3 single-word descriptions of your personality. These will factor into the awarding of Inspiration.
- Characters get starting gear from classes/backgrounds, plus one potion of healing.
- Multiclassing is allowed, but remember that stat boosts are based on class level, not character level.
- Variant humans are allowed, and feats are allowed. However, the Lucky feat is NOT allowed, because it's a logistical nightmare in PbP.
- I'm going to try out something different for starting ability scores: roll 1d8+7 six times, and arrange as desired. If you roll stats that are worse than the standard array, you can switch to the standard array.
- Submit a 2nd-level character, but be aware that you're probably starting at 3rd level. I'll explain that part later.
- When you submit your character, let me know which of the options for Wood Creek's defense (from the opening blurb) your character would support and why. I'll be using your post as a way of gauging how well you can communicate in your posts, which will affect whom I pick.
- Although you don't have to create an alias at the time of submission, once you do make it, I require that you have your spell descriptions, class features, and so forth available for me to see in your profile. I should never have to post a question and wait a day for an answer, just to I can determine how the things you're doing will interact with the world/monsters.
"Organic Adventuring"
I have a hope of this adventure (and the PCs within it) feeling "natural" and "unscripted". I'm trying a few things to get this feel. The most obvious is the rolled stats. I don't normally go that route, but I'd like to try it.
But then there's the part where I said we'll start at approximately 3rd level but asked for submissions at 2nd level. The plan is for each PC, once selected, to roll on a chart that I'm working on preparing. Depending on what you roll, you'll get some mix of XP, gold, and/or magic items. The typical result will be to land somewhere within the range of 3rd level, with a bit of extra gold and/or a minor magic item. An extreme roll might instead go to one end of the spectrum: all XP, getting you to the cusp of 4th level but with little to no additional gear; or all material, leaving you still at 2nd level but with a significant extra helping of gold and/or magic item(s). Thus, everyone will be a little different (different magic items, different gear, leveling at different times, etc) but still remain within comparable power levels with each other.
Now, if that sounds unsettling, don't worry; I've played in a 5E game with different-level characters before, and as long as it's not a huge gap (which it won't be), you can hardly even tell. And with gear filling in the starting XP gaps, I think we can achieve "different but balanced" characters.
Expectations
By submitting a character, you are committing to a consistent posting rate of once per weekday minimum. If you need to be absent for a while (like if you're sick or traveling), say so in the discussion thread and I'll "bot" you as necessary to keep the game moving. If you develop an ongoing trend of silence, you will be removed from the game.
I don't own the Monster Manual and usually am not in a position to reference printed stat blocks anyway, so all of the monsters and NPCs will be homebrewed. Additionally, I don't use maps; combat and exploration will be all "theater of the mind". Don't worry; I've successfully run campaigns under these parameters before, so I know it can work.
I welcome creative approaches to obstacles, and 5E's unified math makes the adjudication of unconventional actions a breeze. So if you want to disarm an enemy or swing from a chandelier or whatever, bring it on! We'll figure out the mechanics as we need them, and you might just get Inspiration in the process if the idea seems legitimate and in-character.
As mentioned in the Character Creation section, thorough character profiles are required. This means if I need to know something about how one of your abilities works, I should be able to consult your profile rather than a book. Additionally, I require a summary of various critical info (a "stat line", I call it) appearing under your name on your posts (I'll show you how to do that if you're picked), and this must be kept up to date. Consistent failure to provide these things will eventually result in removal from the game.
All in all, I'm just looking for some folks who want to have some fun, go on adventures, and keep the game moving for everyone. If that's you, please submit a character!
I'll be choosing about 5 characters for the campaign. Recruitment will remain open through October 18th (two weeks from now). I will announce my selections on October 19th.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
This does sound like fun, and very different from your typical adventure. I'll give a potential character some thought and see if I have any ideas I think worthy. While I'm here I'll roll the stats too:
This is what I have been dreaming of.
I love city based adventurers, with a strong base of operations. It is good motivation for uniting a party.
Mmm... This sounds interesting. I'll sleep on some character concepts.What do you require for backstory? Word of warning-I tend to write novellas if I end up getting attached to a character, so there might be some amateur purple prose for you to struggle through :P I'll roll in order, to help me narrow down concepts.
I like 5E clerics. Lots of ways to differentiate them.
GM Jiggy: You know I have to give this a go! Lovin' the concept!
Standard Array for me! I will submit a profile in the next couple of days.
What do you require for backstory?
Write as much as you like, but if it's more than a couple of paragraphs, then please give me a summary that focuses on where you fit into Wood Creek's citizenry. Details beyond that are unlikely to come up in the narrative.
Is there a local church or deity in the village that a Paladin or Cleric build could hitch their wagon to?
Is there a local church or deity in the village that a Paladin or Cleric build could hitch their wagon to?
You can assume that Wood Creek has "the basics" covered: there's a smallish good-aligned temple, a tavern, a general store, modest housing, etc. There's also a waterwheel-powered mill, and a bazaar area where traveling merchants show up every ten days or so.
I'm intrigued, this sounds interesting and different and fun.
No solid ideas for a character just yet, but I'll be thinking on it.
Rather than taking character array, I'm just going to... roll with it. Eeeeey.
Sounds interesting!
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@Jiggy, did you read Matt Colville's Priest? I am really wanting to play a squire of the Green Order (an order of knights that "self-destructed") and now is one of the last of the order. (Thinking paladin with Oath of the Ancients.)
That being said, I would be fine playing anything.
@Jiggy, did you read Matt Colville's Priest? I am really wanting to play a squire of the Green Order (an order of knights that "self-destructed") and now is one of the last of the order. (Thinking paladin with Oath of the Ancients.)
Never heard of it, but from your post it sounds like the relevant part is wanting a backstory that involves being a straggler from a now-defunct knightly order? If so, that seems fine.
This is Filios, and I submit Narnel for consideration.the three words that best describe him are Serene, Acrobatic, and Wise. Narnel would certainly vote in favor of walling the village for the protection of the locals. He has grown quite fond of his role as a village wiseman and expert on the locality and the elemental forces of nature.
Dotting for interest.
Very interesting. I think I'll roll up a stout, dependable dwarven blacksmith.
Decided to keep them as rolled, because that's how I roll lately (ba-dum-tish).
3-Words: Free, secretive, helpful.
Cedany would support the village wall, for even if retreat to a keep were feasible, it leaves all they have built so far open to attack. While it is true a building, or a village can be rebuilt, how many memories are lost when the village burns?
I have fine-tuned Narnel's background based upon his dedication to the four elements in his pursuit of enlightenment.
I'm thinking about making a blacksmith.
I see a couple of people have put their info into a Google document. Unfortunately, I only rarely am at a computer from which I can view such info. Please either create an alias and fill in the profile, or make a post here with a (spoilered) copy of your full character submission. Similarly, be advised that if chosen for the game, ALL character info MUST be included directly in your profile, not linked elsewhere.
Thanks! :)
Here is my submission,
Mountain Dwarf Rogue 2
Lawful Good Alignment
STR 16
DEX 10
CON 16
INT 8
WIS 11
CHA 8
HP 19
AC 12
PROF +2
INIT +0
Sword: +5 to hit; 1d6+3 damage
Shortbow: +2 to hit; 1d6 damage
Dagger to hit: +5 to hit; 1d4+3 damage
Skills: (History related to stonework +3), Insight +4, Perception +4, Athletics +5, Intimidation +1, Persuasion +1, Investigation +1
Proficiencies: Rogue, Smith's Tools | Battleaxe, Handaxe, Throwing Hammer, Warhammer | Medium Armor
Class Features: Expertise (Perception, Insight), Sneak Attack +1d6, Thieve's Cant, Cunning Action
Equipment: Artisan's Tools, Letter of Introduction from blacksmith's guild, Traveller's Clothes, Shortsword, Shortbow, 20 arrows, Burglar's Pack, Leather Armor, 2 daggers, Thieve's Tools, Potion of Healing
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Undercommon
Disciplined, Secretive, Honest
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Sorry, here ya go!
Lvl 2 HD
Ability Scores: Str 14; Dex 9; Con 13; Int 9; Wis 12; Cha 15
Background: Squire (Order of the Green)
hp: 14
AC: 18 (chain mail and shield)
Prof bonus: +2
Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma
Attacks: longsword (melee 5 ft. reach, +4 atk, 1d8+4) OR javelin (range 30 ft./120 ft., +4 atk, 1d6+2)
Skills: Athletics (+4), Insight (+3), Nature (+1), Survival (+3)
Proficiencies: All armors and shields, simple and martial weapons
Languages: Common
Racial traits: Nuffin. :p
Class features: Divine Sense (PHB p. 84), Lay on hands heal 10 hp/long rest (PHB p. 84), Fighting Style Dueling (+2 to damage if using only one weapon; PHB p. 84), Divine Smite when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack you may expend a spell slot for extra 2d8 radiant damage plus 1d8/spell level beyond 1st (PHB p. 85), Spellcasting [Save DC 12, spell atk +4] 1st [2] bless, cure wounds, protection from good/evil (PHB p. 84)
Single Word Descriptors Brave, Protector, Humble
Equipment: chain shirt, shield (w/ great tree standard), longsword, dagger, quiver w/ 5 javelins, explorer’s pack, mess kit
Custom Background
Squire of the Order of the Green
Skills Nature, Survival
Proficiency one set of artisan’s tools
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Just to recap the submissions so far:
Filios — Narnel Falerathon (Elf Monk - completed)
spinningdice — Cedany (Human wizard - in progress)
Vrog Skyreaver — Felthis Stonecleaver (Dwarf rogue - in progress)
Aeshuura — Corson (Human paladin - in progress)
If I've missed anyone or that doesn't look right, let me know.
And keep the awesome submissions coming! :)
missed his saves.
Mountain Dwarf Rogue 2
Lawful Good Alignment
STR 16
DEX 10
CON 16
INT 8
WIS 11
CHA 8
HP 19
AC 12
PROF +2
INIT +0
Saves: Str: +3, Dex: +2, Con: +3, Int: +1, Wis: 0, Cha: -1
Sword: +5 to hit; 1d6+3 damage
Shortbow: +2 to hit; 1d6 damage
Dagger to hit: +5 to hit; 1d4+3 damage
Skills: (History related to stonework +3), Insight +4, Perception +4, Athletics +5, Intimidation +1, Persuasion +1, Investigation +1
Proficiencies: Rogue, Smith's Tools | Battleaxe, Handaxe, Throwing Hammer, Warhammer | Medium Armor
Class Features: Expertise (Perception, Insight), Sneak Attack +1d6, Thieve's Cant, Cunning Action
Equipment: Artisan's Tools, Letter of Introduction from blacksmith's guild, Traveller's Clothes, Shortsword, Shortbow, 20 arrows, Burglar's Pack, Leather Armor, 2 daggers, Thieve's Tools, Potion of Healing
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Undercommon
Background: Felthis has functioned as Wood Creek Village's blacksmith for the last 20 years. While he is a jovial, likeable man, he does not speak of his family not any of his time before he came to the village.
Disciplined, Secretive, Honest
Would you prefer use of PHD Ranger or the recently released UA Ranger?
As I seem to have had a similar idea to Vrog I'll make a Halfling bard instead.
Would you prefer use of PHD Ranger or the recently released UA Ranger?
I'm not really familiar with the UA ranger, so let's stick with PHB.
Oh by the way Jiggy, just noticed your lack of monster manual. Most of the monsters are open content as far as srds go. So if you need a quick monster here
Enzio.
Three word description.
Deluded, Elegant, Menace
Enzio is one of the local militia who earns his living working in the Watch. He enjoys a fight, so is always looking for the proper fights that better the community. He'll go on patrol, help train villagers with weapons, guard wagons as they move through the territory.
He lives on a broken down barge on one of the unused docks of the town.
If asked by someone who controls the Watch or Militia, maybe someone of wealth that wants a conversation... "We would want to build the wall around the city. It would protect our people when raiders attack or invaders try to take our harvest." Those that have a decent sense motive know that is a total lie. The raiders and invaders are even mixed up.
A wall around Wood Creek means that Enzio would be protected while he sleeps. But the invaders would still come. The raiders would still raid. A monster would burrow into the Keep, and that would cause more fighting...
To trusted friends, or if he thinks there is opportunity to be honest, or if he gets slightly drunk..."If we want peace and security, we need that Keep. While I like the fighting that the town here provides, I have to be honest with you... For Wood Creek not to be Prey, we need that Keep from a reputation standpoint, from an intimidation standpoint.
Nobles are taken seriously because they have land and castles. Raiders, bandits, river pirates look to our town as Prey because we don't project our ability to defend what is ours.
Once the Keep is established, then the functions of the city could start to migrate there, buildings torn down here and rebuilt there. So another community is protected underneath our Flag.
For a successful City State to be established, we would need a Fortified Central Hub, then other smaller communities surrounding the Hub to offer support, trading partners, early warning of Marshaled forces.
To start on becoming a Power within the territory, the interior between Wood Creek and Forest Keep can be protected farmland.
Trade and Resource Management are important. Wood Creek has the docks for Trade. The Forest Keep is on that Cliff thing overlooking the River, so a dock area would be difficult to build there.
For me to be happy, a wall around Wood Creek means I get to kill bandits and raiders, satisfy my need for violence. Because a walled town without a Keep screams of the Desperate. And I like to kill those that Hunt the Desperate."
Felthis is definitely in favor of building a wall, since having a keep means you have nobility and having walls means that everyone is invested in their defense equally.
Just to recap the submissions so far:
Filios — Narnel Falerathon (Elf Monk - completed)
spinningdice — Cedany (Human wizard - in progress)
Vrog Skyreaver — Felthis Stonecleaver (Dwarf rogue - in progress)
Aeshuura — Corson (Human paladin - in progress)If I've missed anyone or that doesn't look right, let me know.
And keep the awesome submissions coming! :)
Takumi here, moved my character submission from Google Docs to this alias
Sure, I'll give this a go! The premise looks very promising for some good fun!
Pretty good overall. Thinking of rolling a Fighter for this one, will hop back in once all the character info is set up.
Anything obvious missing from Cedany, she's more or less finished, bar any refining and adding spell/ability descriptions.
Jiggy, what pantheon are we using for deities?
Dang, I always forget that part, since my campaigns usually don't directly center around any particular deity. So, it's probably fine if people just grab whatever deities they like, even if we cross pantheons. What's the worst that could happen?
Anything obvious missing from Cedany, she's more or less finished, bar any refining and adding spell/ability descriptions.
I was a bit sleep deprived at the time; I may have just noticed the lack of spell descriptions and jumped to "unfinished". If you'd prefer to save yourself the work of adding spell descriptions until you know whether you're in or not, that's fine.
Takumi here, moved my character submission from Google Docs to this alias
I might be missing something, but it looks like either your HP or your CON score is a bit off.
@The Pale King — Thanks; I'll keep that in mind if I need it. :)
Takumi here, moved my character submission from Google Docs to this aliasI might be missing something, but it looks like either your HP or your CON score is a bit off.
Con score is 10 from the rolled stats, +2 from race
Hill dwarf also gives +1 HP per level
Ah, okay, I didn't see any mention of that racial feature in the profile, so I didn't know where the extra HP was coming from.
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I just need one deity for nature, do you have a preference for one? I am not really a big fan of any in particular. For religion, you only really need one if someone is a cleric, but I took the background feature of the acolyte, but we could make it for a Circle of Druids instead.
What do you think? I want to hold truer to your world...
I just need one deity for nature, do you have a preference for one? I am not really a big fan of any in particular. For religion, you only really need one if someone is a cleric, but I took the background feature of the acolyte, but we could make it for a Circle of Druids instead.
What do you think? I want to hold truer to your world...
I don't really have a whole world developed, only this one region where the adventure takes place. So you could pick a deity, or go with a "Green Faith" if you like, or even just be powered by the strength of your own general sense of piety.
If you're looking to synch up with the local shrine for purposes of the Feature of the acolyte background, you probably want to go with a sort of generic good deity along the lines of Pelor or Sarenrae, as that's roughly the type of shrine I'm picturing.
