Aeshuura's DDEX 1-01 Defiance in Phlan (Adv League) (Inactive)

Game Master Aeshuura

If anyone is interested, I can take up to 7 1st or 2nd-level characters.

This will be run as a part of the Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League.

EDIT: I intend to start this on Wednesday, March 30th, and will be collecting submissions until then.

Hate to ask, but does this adventure assume that part of the loot will come from the sale of an artifact capable of subjecting the citizens of Phlan to an undead incursion or the hell of dragonfire? Or expect the PCs to do things which, if done by an NPC, would be treated as justification for labeling them as the BBEG and killing them?

ETA: That last one reminded me too much of one of my most-loathed PFS scenarios, in which part of your loot comes from robbing an innocent bystander just because they were nearby, and if you don't rob them, you miss out on that loot. That whole "sell an artifact that you know will get people killed" thing from The Courting of Fire was even worse, and I'd like to know whether that was an exception or the norm.

I'd submit Sen, but I think she's well over third level...I will see about coming up with a new one.

I submit Sir Adrian for consideration.

I will be submitting a Goliath barbarian 1. Will take me to this weekend to work out mechanics and general idea. Much longer for backstory.

Hate to ask, but does this adventure assume that part of the loot will come from the sale of an artifact capable of subjecting the citizens of Phlan to an undead incursion or the hell of dragonfire? Or expect the PCs to do things which, if done by an NPC, would be treated as justification for labeling them as the BBEG and killing them?

ETA: That last one reminded me too much of one of my most-loathed PFS scenarios, in which part of your loot comes from robbing an innocent bystander just because they were nearby, and if you don't rob them, you miss out on that loot. That whole "sell an artifact that you know will get people killed" thing from The Courting of Fire was even worse, and I'd like to know whether that was an exception or the norm.

I completely understand your concern. I have not read through all of the adventures yet, and that was only the first that I had run, much less gone through. The only other I have read through is 1-08 which looks much less like that.

There are a couple of things about the Courting of Fire. I will elaborate in the Discussion thread on that one rather than de-rail this thread.

However, hell of Dragonfire is a distinct possibility as this is from the Tyranny of Dragons storyline. All of the factions are aligned toward stopping the Cult of the Dragon from fulfilling their final goals, but dragonfire could be inevitable. ;)

This story is more of an introduction to the factions, doing a mission for each to see what beginning characters might want to join. The first of each season are somewhat akin to the evergreen PFS scenarios.

Hey there big guy, I heard you needed someone with smashing good looks and a way with words.

I'd submit Sen, but I think she's well over third level...I will see about coming up with a new one.

Sen is halfway to 4th, but still about 1000 xp away, I think. But yeah, she is out of the level range for this one. She can join up with them after this one.

However, hell of Dragonfire is a distinct possibility as this is from the Tyranny of Dragons storyline. All of the factions are aligned toward stopping the Cult of the Dragon from fulfilling their final goals, but dragonfire could be inevitable. ;)

It's less about whether dragonfire could be happening, and more about whether my reactions to those who bring it about have to bend around whether the little glowing sign above the perpetrator's head says "PC" or "NPC".

This story is more of an introduction to the factions, doing a mission for each to see what beginning characters might want to join. The first of each season are somewhat akin to the evergreen PFS scenarios.

Sounds promising. :)

Count me in, level 2 fighter!

By the way, what can I do with all that "downtime" I just earned?

You can perform your profession, or you can craft mundane items. With an herbalism kit, I would say that you could make a healer's kit. You could use your woodcarving to craft some arrows.

You could also save them up. Larger expenditures include leveling from 4th to 5th lvl (basically the in-between tiers), or you can use it to learn a new language or toolkit.

These options are in the PHB or Basic rules. Generally, I would save it up and spend it when you think of what you want to spend it on.

List of Applicants:
Jiggy (Ander Meliamne) - Fighter 2
Alyksandrei - Undecided
Filios (Sir Adrian Fullbright) - Paladin 2
DaWay - Goliath Barbarian 1
GM Niles (Uriah Lewis) - Bard 2
Sacromus (Wrathmire) - Fighter 2 - ranged specialist

We have room for one more so far.

Ander you can also craft healing potions, and special factions stuff, as well as learn new languages and tool kits.

Everyone, I need help choosing a background. Three I have in mind Outlander, Hermit, and Far Traveler.

Basic Idea is that he is a goliath sent to scout the world for a better understanding to better combat the unknowns to his tribe. Before the calling I am thinking a bit of a herder. Possibly shunned to make the travel easier in the seperation from family.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Well, damn! I didn't realize that they decided that healing potions are considered mundane for the downtime crafting, nice!

I feel like Outlander is overused. I like Hermit, but it tends to be more geared toward the learned (but that can be modified easily enough). Far Traveler is exotic, as is the Goliath, so that one is the one that I like the best for the character.

If you take Hermit, what do you think you would take as your secret?

So far this is what I have geared toward hermit, but I am thinking about Far Traveler myself, wanting to be from around the jungles of Chult

If i go with the hermit, I kind of want to incorporate dreams of Tiamat rising, since that is what season 1 was all about. Or maybe a Wyvern, named Scarsnout.

EDIT: Forgot I cannot do Far Traveler because I have the Elemental Evil story origin.

Pulath "Alone" Apuna-Miano
DCI: 3203761754
Story Origin: Elemental Evil
Level: 1; XP: 0/300
Lawful Neutral Goliath Male
Hermit Barbarian 1

Emerald Enclave Springwarden
Renown: 0

Medium Sized Humanoid
Armor Class (14) Hit Points: (15)
Inspiration: 0 Madness Level: 000
Speed 30 ft.
Initiative Modifier: +1

Strength 16 (+3)
Dexterity 12 (+1)
Constitution 16 (+3)
Intelligence 08 (-1)
Wisdom 13 (+1)
Charisma 10 (+0)

Proficiencies
Bonus: +2
Armor: Light armor, Medium Armor, Shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, Martial weapons
Tools: Herbalism kit
Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution
Skills: Athletic, Medicine, Perception, Religion, Survival
Languages: Common, Giant, Gol-Kaa
Feature: Discovery
Feats: None

Goliath Traits
Natural Athlete, Stone’s Endurance (reaction to roll 1d12+Con Mod, reduce damage by equal amount, 1/short or long rest), Powerful Build (count as one size larger for carrying capacity, push, drag, lift), Mountain Born

Barbarian Features
Rage (2/+2 per long), Unarmored Defense

Equipment
A scroll case stuffed with notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a set of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 34.80 gp
An Explorer’s pack and four javelin
Lifestyle: Poor (2 sp)
Carrying Capacity: 160/320/480
Weight Carried:
Push, Drag, Lift: 960

Weapons/Attacks
Greatclub +5 (1d8+3 Bludgeoning)
Unarmed +5 (4 Bludgeoning)

Story Awards
none

Downtime Days: 0/0
Spent: none

Age: 24
Height: 7’08” Weight
Eyes Skin

Background
Feature: Discovery
Life of Seclusion: I retreated from society after a life-altering event
Personality Trait: I connect everything that happens to me to a grand, cosmic plan.
Ideal: If you know yourself, there’s nothing left to know.
Bond: My isolation gave me great insight into a great evil that only I can destroy.
Flaw: I like keeping secrets and won’t share them with anyone.

List of Applicants (6; updated):
Jiggy (Ander Meliamne) - Fighter 2
Alyksandrei - Undecided
Filios (Sir Adrian Fullbright) - Paladin 2
DaWay (Pulath "Alone" Apuna-Miano) - Goliath Barbarian 1
GM Niles (Uriah Lewis) - Bard 2
Sacromus (Wrathmire) - Fighter 2 - ranged specialist

Toying with the idea of a wizard...casters are hard to play, though. So many options! There's already one martial ranged specialist; is there room for a second? Or should I build that wizard?

Honestly, play what you want to. We have a little bit of healing, with Sir Adrian, and a little from Uriah.

Uriah has a little of the arcane casting, but he is also limited in the spell choices (limited in the big damage spells).

5e is much more forgiving in terms of party builds though, so again, my advice is to play something that you WANT to play, not what fills a party need. :)

Ok. I'll think about it today and decide on something by tonight.

Crafting sounds neat; never been able to do that before. So how does that work? How much gold/time does it take to craft a healing potion? Are there checks involved, or is proficiency in the herbalism kit sufficient?

Proficiency in herbalism required. 1 downtime day to do 5gp of work. Don't forget to include your lifestyle costs.

Potion of healing - 50GP

In otherwords, 10 days of downtime for one potion. As Ander is proficient and owns an herbalism kit, he can make healing potions. (Per his profession.) You can choose to life a modest lifestyle and not pay the lifestyle cost (since you automatically get a modest lifestyle when crafting) or if you live your comfortable (per your background) lifestyle, you pay 1 gp less per day (Comfortable is 2 gp/day, so you would pay 10 gp).

You only pay lifestyle costs when you use downtime days.

Wait, so because I'm able to make healing potions, I have the ability to spend 10 days to make what I could instead just go buy for the same price? So... what is it that I actually gain by having this proficiency and spending the downtime days?

No you are not paying the same price, crafting for 10 days with your comfortable background would be 20 gp for the potion, where as buying a potion is 50 gp.

So let me see if I can reassemble all this fragmented information into how it works:

1. The potion of healing is a 50gp item.

2. To craft it, I have to spend downtime of 1 day per 5gp of that price. So in this case, it will cost me 10 days to craft it.

3. During that time, I can automatically live a modest lifestyle at no cost.

4. ?????

5. The self-crafted potion costs 20gp.

...

Okay, I'm lost.

From the ALPG

Starting Lifestyles
Background Starting Lifestyle
Acolyte Modest
Charlatan Comfortable
Criminal Poor
Custom Modest
Entertainer Modest
Folk Hero Modest
Guild Artisan Comfortable
Hermit Poor
Noble Wealthy
Outlander Poor
Sage Modest
Sailor Modest
Soldier Modest
Urchin Modest

Find your lifestyle cost in the PHB.
Apply that per day downtime day spent. (this is representative of your boarding and food).
You make 5 gold pieces of progress per downtime day.
When you reach the items cost in the players handbook you have crafted the item.

PHB 187
While crafting you can maintain a modest lifestyle without having to pay 1 gp per day, or a comfortable lifestyle at half the normal cost.

So 50 gp potion/ 5gp per day = 10 downtime days.

A modest lifestyle will cost 0 gp to craft the potion
A comfortable lifestyle will cost 10 gp to craft.

The mistake was mine, I forgot abput the half cast for comfortable liffestyle.

Alternatively I can create a more knowledge based cleric if we need it. V. Human Arcana Cleric with the Ritual Caster Wizard Feat which would fill in quite a few holes that the group has since we are so martial heavy.

Wait, so you mean the actual crafting of the potion doesn't cost me anything but time? I just have to spend enough days and pay for any better-than-modest lifestyle, and then POOF, free potion?

Yes, but remember you have to spend for the upkeep of your lifestyle costs per day

Is that separate from the free modest lifestyle we were just talking about?

Only if its above the modest level....

But yes, Poof free potion!

But it does take some time - thus the concept of downtime activities.

I don't suppose there's any way I could use the level 1 version of Sen and not get credit (including gold, items, and xp), is there?

Oooh, can I play? Thinking of a cleric with the Trickery Domain, multi-classed into a rogue.

Ultra, we have one opening left. You know how to make an Adventurers League character?

Yeah. All the rules are on the D and d site :) I'm going to create a 1st level cleric :)

Changing idea: Doing a 1st level rogue, will choose the Arcane Trickster Archetype at level 3

Thinking of going straight ranger...but I don't know if that gives me all the skills I'm interested in. I'll look into that.

Sounds good. A rogue with a magic background would be great!

Alyks, if not, a custom background may help. Rangers get a good number of skills.

With all the melee going around, I am going to do a more support based character with a Arcana Cleric.

DCI: 3203761754
Story Origin: Rage of Demons
Level: 1; XP: 0/300
Lawful Neutral Human Male
Cloistered Scholar Cleric (Arcana) 1

Harper Watcher
Renown: 0

Medium Sized Humanoid
Armor Class (11); Hit Points (08)
Inspiration: No Madness Level: 000
Speed: 30 ft.; Senses: Passive Wisdom (Perception) 13
Initiative Modifier: +1

Strength 10 (+0)
Dexterity 13 (+1)
Constitution 10 (+0)
Intelligence 16 (+3)
*Wisdom 16 (+3)
*Charisma 08 (-1)

Proficiencies
Bonus: +2
Armor: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shields
Weapons: Simple Weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Strength +0, Dexterity +3, Constitution +0, Intelligence +3, Wisdom +5, Charisma +1
Skills: Arcana +5, History +5, Insight +5, Investigation +5, Medicine +5, Religion +5
Languages: Common, Draconic, Mulan
Feature: Library Access
Feats: Ritual Caster (Wizard)

Human Racial Traits
Skill Versitality, Bonus Feat (Ritual Caster)

Cleric Abilities
Arcana Domain, Arcane Initiate, Spellcasting

Spellcasting
Attack Modifier: +5; Save DC: 13
Cantrips: Guidance, Fire Bolt, Mending, Minor Illusion, Thaumaturgy
First (00): Command, Guiding Bolt, Healing Word, Sanctuary D: Detect Magic, Magic Missile

Ritual Spellbook
First: Comprehend Languages, Identify

Weapons/Attacks
Fire Bolt +5 (1d10 Fire)
Unarmed +2 (1 Bludgeoning)

Background: Cloistered Scholar
Feature: Library Access
Personality Trait: I’ve read every book in the world’s greatest libraries- or I like to boast that I have
Ideal: Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence.
Bond: I’ve been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question.
Flaw: Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization.

Equipment: Priest’s Pack and a holy symbol, the scholar’s robes of your cloister, a writing kit (small pouch with quill, ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife), a borrowed book on the subject of your current study, and a pouch containing 55.5 gp
Trinket: An alabaster mask

Well, I finally whipped up another AL character! Not creating an alias until accepted. I keep getting confused about which alias goes with which thread, and I don't even have half a dozen yet!

Both of those sound good! We will start in a week-and-a-half.

Now, if we can only get you to start attaching avatar's to your aliases.

But I don't like any of the avatars I've seen! I have a really cute one I'd add to my main alias, but custom/uploaded avatars aren't available.

I have the same problem with choosing minis from other peoples' collections. Solution: buy and paint my own, and always bring them with me to game nights.

Link the picture so that we can see the image of your character. Then we can see how you envision your character.

Of course having an avatar makes it easier to differentiate posts. Sometimes I used to miss your posts thinking they were a continuation from someone else's.