Aubrey's Eberron campaign. (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

It’s a quiet night in the Spear of Dhakaan, a dark bar on the outskirts of the Bazaar in Middle Dura lit by the dim flickering of a few everburning torches . A group of goblin merchants yammer loudly at one another, shoving and shouting in the traditional goblin negotiating style. A bugbear bouncer sits on a stool and leans against a wall by the entrance, gently rocking with his eyes shut as a hobgoblin chanteuse belts out another dirge bewailing the fates of lost empires. Waitresses – human, shifter and goblinoid – yell orders at the bar and dodge groping hands from punters of all races, while a beggar, dressed in the tatterered remnants of a Brelish army uniform and presumably human under the filth, does the rounds of the tables. Pipes in the wall gurgle loudly, channelling away the water dumped on to the high towers of the city, while the storm hisses against the windows, rumbling and flashing with lightning. Gazing down aloofly on proceedings, a spire drake watches from its battered cage above the bar. It's hot, humid and smokey, and the smell of cheap goblin spirits, cooking food and too many unwashed bodies is almost overpowering.

Indeed, pretty quiet as these things go....

What are the PCs doing? Why are they here?

Currently on a pilgrimage to the site of my clans massacre, and this quaint tavern seems to be one I have not visited on my frequent excursions through Sharn.

Currently on a pilgrimage to the site of my clans massacre, and this quaint tavern seems to be one I have not visited on my frequent excursions through Sharn.

OK, that's the "why". What's the "what", so to speak?

Currently appreciating the grand hospitality of the proprietor of the tavern..... by ordering one of those smelly goblin lagers. When in rome.

The elf stared into his mug of cheap ale after taking a long drink, pondering whether or not he had just been poisoned. While ale was not a common beverage amongst his people, he had been through plenty of these "taverns" before and had never tasted something quite as repulsive as this. After a moment passed, he realized that, while the flavor left plenty to be desired, the ale did not seem to be causing him any harm and he took another drink.

Setting the mug down on his table, the powerfully built elf examined his own coin pouch and sighed. The profits from the sale of his bow would not last him much longer. His blood had begun to stagnate. It had been almost a month since he had seen combat. If he was to continue, he would need to find money. He knew that many lesser men would pay handsomely for able swordsmen. He felt himself much more than able, however. He was Valenar. Money should not be hard to come by in such a large city as this.

He began to scan the tavern's patrons, searching for those who seemed to be men of means... though he realized such patrons would likely not frequent such a place.

Wait...Aubrey, when did you post looking for players? Are you full up?

Wait...Aubrey, when did you post looking for players? Are you full up?

That's great! Just ruin the ambience why don't you with a totally out-of-character interjection. I slave, trying to create a mood, the right feel, so they can smell where they are, nevermind visualise it, and along comes Baldy with, "Oi, can I play?" God, how we artists suffer.....

Alas, Seb, at the moment I am full (and you are even no.2 on the waiting list). Frankly, I was astounded at the interest, but yes, I have six players as it is (one more than I asked for). It's a shame, it would be cool to play with you, but if they all flee from my tedious game and leave open some spaces, I will definately let you know and share their pain. There is a discussion thread called "An Eberron campaign?" which is where this kicked off a few days ago.

Alas, Seb, at the moment I am full (and you are even no.2 on the waiting list). Frankly, I was astounded at the interest, but yes, I have six players as it is (one more than I asked for). It's a shame, it would be cool to play with you, but if they all flee from my tedious game and leave open some spaces, I will definately let you know and share their pain. There is a discussion thread called "An Eberron campaign?" which is where this kicked off a few days ago.

For future reference, there is a big difference between "An Eberron Campaign" and "An Eberron Campaign run by Aubrey." I would have clicked on the later. I completely missed the thread as a result.

Oh well, I probably don't have the time/attention span anyway.

(And sorry for the interruption.)

For future reference, there is a big difference between "An Eberron Campaign" and "An Eberron Campaign run by Aubrey." I would have clicked on the later. I completely missed the thread as a result.

Oh well, I probably don't have the time/attention span anyway.

:-) Even my ego isn't big enough to title a thread "Aubrey's Eberron". Mr Baker might have something to say about that.

Edit - just noticed what this thread is called. And I started it. Ah, well....

Anyway.....

Assuming that Frogshanks and I are actually at the bar together. (I would guess we know each other from the House, even though I'm currently wandering loose.)

Trose sat at his table, scanning the bar. His contacts had been clear - there was work to be had here, but Trose had his doubts, and had come in looking "nondescript" - plain gray cloak, plain, functional armor, blades prominent but not threateningly so.
He sipped his ale, his nose wrinkling at the flavor of the "secret ingredient" that gave it that bitter taste that the goblins all seemed to love.
"Should have ordered the wine," he muttered to Frogshanks.
His eyes continued to slide across the room, and his mental list continued to grow. It was a game his grandmother had made him learn, and he'd been pretty good at it as a kid. She used to take him places and give him a particular "type" to look for - sellswords, spellcasters, buyers, patrons - that kind of thing. It was years before he'd realized she was seeding the places with that type, as well as red herrings so that he had to work. He hadn't played in years, but it was coming back to him, and now he understood why she'd done it.
"Goblin merchants... no joy there unless we want to work a mushroom caravan."
"Three guys in the back... a possibility, but it looks like one of them is holding a dagger under the table, so probably not."
"Elf at the bar... he's playing the same game I am. Looks good in a fight, though."
Nobody looked particularly like a patron, or even a fixer. Still, it was early.
"Looks kind of slim" he muttered to his companion, "but maybe the pickings will improve with a little time."

The tall, dark bodied warforged ducks it’s head low under the lintel and looks carefully around the dark interior of the Spear of Dhakaan. It nods briefly at the bugbear bouncer by the door, who waves back nonchalantly. By now the bugbear – and many of the tavern’s other regulars – have become used to the ‘forged's habits over the past week and a half.

As usual, it strides purposefully towards the ale-stained bar and carefully orders a drink – a drink that it will nurse, untouched, for the rest of the evening, paying with a few copper pennies pulled from a hidden pocket under it’s stained and patched cloak.

It then looks slowly around the room, it’s silver eyes catching the torchlight briefly, ignoring the hostile snarl of a hobgoblin tough, before heading over to a table at a dingy dark corner of the room, and settles in to wait, it’s over-long sword resting on against the bench beside it.

It waits resignedly – the goblins it seeks are almost certainly not going to be here – once again. And if they were, would it recognise them? A half seen face in a flash of torchlight on a nearby bridge, the light catching a sinister looking iron symbol hanging from a chain around the creature’s scrawny neck. A near kidnap victim who had no idea why he had been targeted… And even if they were here, would they be recognised?

The warforged suspects not. But it comes nevertheless, night after night. The Watch is not interested, and justice should be served. Besides … it has nothing better to do, no-one who really wants it’s help…

Janosz nods noncommittally, before peering down into his mug. "Wine, boss? This ain’t so bad - at least it doesn’t have tadpoles in it, like me uncle’s moonshine". Truth be told, Janosz was grateful enough for Trose taking him along and showing him the ropes that he would have swilled Uncle Horvath’s vile whiskey quite happily if needed. Tonight marked his second month in Sharn, and adjusting had been rough. Still, House Tharashk had been good to him and had made the transition so much easier. So if Trose needed to visit this dive at this hour, that was fine with him. "The elf looks pretty tough, I agree. But how ‘bout that warforged over by the bar?".

Just waiting for Ezreal....

OK, to keep the ball rolling, I'll give Ezreal another few hours to post (as I don't know what time zone he is in, he might be tucked up in bed right now). I'll probably get things moving again at about 10.00pm my time (it's about 3.00pm here now). As a rule of thumb, as I don't want this to go too adrift, I'll try and move things on once every couple of days as a minimum. I might take control of characters to do this, though I will avoid it as much as possible.

A slim, well-dressed woman enters the bar, her dark green cloak lightly spotted with drops of rain. She pushes back her hood, revealing striking dark-haired looks, and briefly scans the room. Evidently not seeing whoever she was looking for, she heads to an empty table by the kitchen door and sits down. A goblin serving wench wanders over to her and, after a brief conversation, returns with a small ceramic mug of some steaming liquid. The woman pays and, after lifting the mug to examine it carefully and sniffing its contents, takes an experimental sip. With a slight grimace she replaces the mug on the table, and turns to watch the door.

Search checks, please

Pausing in the doorway for his eyes to adjust to the light, Ezreal quickly notes an empty table and makes for it. His stride is clipped, determined. Uninterested in the menu, he fidgets with it nonetheless. It would be another hour yet before the Yaniz, the goblin cook and (more importantly) tour guide who came highly recommended would be free to discuss his rates and set up a potential itenerary. But it was only his first week in the city, and he had nothing better to do so here he was- waiting and watching.

Ok, short but just enough to establish me on the scene. Feel free to have us know each other as you mentioned in the other thread, or however you like. We'll notice each other shortly and join tables if that is the case. Keep it rolling as you see fit and I'll be back with more leisure to post tomorrow.

Nice to have you with us, Ezreal. :-) I'll leave it up to the three of you if you want to recognise eachother.

search check = 24

"Well," Trose comments to his companion and nodding slightly toward the woman, "there's a distinct possibility. She looks less like she belongs here than we do."
His attention drawn back to the door as someone else enters, he chuckles. "Yet another member of the family... interesting."
He nods to Ezreal and slides a chair out from the table with a foot.

Search Check = 21 (natural 20!)

Runzyl's eyes narrow on the woman who enters. Following her line of sight, his eyes wander to the door but, seeing no one there, his attention turns to the other newcomer. He watches the man walk towards the two at the bar and, hearing the reference to 'family', he begins to listen intently. Merchant families were often in need of guards and common folk did not dress as these two did.

Both of those rolling notice this, and there isn't much need to worry about further rolls.

Both Runzyl and Trose notice a blue-back sigil seemingly inked into the skin of her wrist, her sleeve slipping up her arm slightly as she raises her cup to drink - definately a dragonmark, probably a "least" by its size, though which one you can't tell at this distance and in this relative gloom.

I'm assuming this is a human woman since you said 'woman' but never specified race.

Runzyl smirks slightly as he notices the mark creeping out from behind her sleeve.

The marked ones always have money. Runzyl abandons his distasteful beverage and makes his way towards the woman's table, picking up the double scimitar that leaned against his table and snapping it into it's harness on his back as he does so.

He pulls up a chair nearby and smiles at her, though his smile is certainly more similar to that of a predator than that of a friend. Such was his nature and it was no conscious thing on his part.

"Who are you waiting for?" he asked point-blank.

Ah, the joys of 8 Charisma.

Hmmm... Rolled an 18. Does a Spot 26 get me an indication of her House?

"Yup. She doesn't seem to be here for the food". Janosz smiles at the just-arrived Tharashk. "Do you think she's the mystery contact? Perhaps we should invite her over here as well?".

Yes, she is human.

She returns Runzyl's level gaze. "Not you. Please allow me some privacy, I'm not after anything you have to offer. I suggest you leave before I have you removed."
---------------------------------------------
I actually asked for a Search roll, so you really got 21. So sorry, you can see it and recognise it as a dragonmark, but not the type, which in any case requires an Knowledge (Arcana) check to definitively identify.

Runzyl shrugs and stands up, returning the chair to its former place at the adjacent table and heading back to his own table to resume his drinking. If she wasn't here for hired muscle, then there wasn't anything else he could help her with. Best to leave such things alone. It wouldn't do to make enemies so soon. The elf sat and watched events unfold, waiting for someone he COULD offer something to to present themselves.

He took another sip of the unsavory beverage.

Nox motions for the bartender after draining his flagon in a single quaff. "Got anything stronger my jolly friend, and some food, may the blessing of Olladra guide your cooks hands" Nox says before climbing his stool and making a toast to his fellow tavern goers.
"Enjoy your drinks and your food my fellows, Olladra looks kindly on this place." With that Nox returns to his stool with a smile on his face and a gleam in his eye.

Lightbringer had just about given up on the idea that the goblins he was seeking would show themselves tonight, given the number of unusual patrons in attendance – assuming they didn’t notice the six and a half foot tall warforged lurking at the back of the room.

But he stayed nevertheless. Persistence, patience, hope.

At one point, his massive hand creeps towards the worn hilt of his great sword, as he notices the somewhat predatory looking elf with the wickedly curved two bladed sword approach the table of a well dressed woman who looks almost as out of place here as Lightbringer does.

However, the exchange between is brief, and Lightbringer relaxes as the elf returns to his drink.

Watching the elf get shot down, Trose comments to his companions, "She might be it, but after that show, I don't think pimping ourselves is the way toget her attention. Let's just wait a bit."
He looks around the room, shivering slightly as the heairs on the back of his neck start to stand up.
"Be ready for... something. Trouble, maybe. I've got a feeling things here are coming to a head."

The bulky warforged settles back into the shadows in his quiet corner of the dark, smokey tavern and contines to watch - for the goblins he seeks or for anything else unusual.

Spot check result: 17+1 = 18

Man, does no one know the difference between Search and Spot? Actually, that said, it can be tricky. My take is that Search is used when you are studying something you already know is there - like the woman. Spot is used to notice something that you don't know is there - like the assassin lurking behind Nox. Ha ha - only kidding.

Anyway, Lightbringer fails to notice anything - like a dragonmark or an assassin.

The slight tension in the bar following the confrontation between Runzyl and the woman dissipates after Nox's cheerful toast. A few moments later, a human man enters through the door of the bar, swaddled in a cloak. He is a fairly unremarkable specimen, almost purposefully nondescript, with bland pudgy features and light brown, thinning hair. In fact, he probably wouldn’t have been noticed at all except that, after briefly looking about the room, he sidles towards the dark-haired woman and sits at her table. This is obviously whom she intended to meet, as they begin a quiet conversation, heads bowed close together as they talk in low voices.

Suddenly, three gnolls swagger in, their heads ducking under the lintel. The effect upon the bar clientele is dramatic. The hubbub of voices falters and the waiting staff halt in their tracks and stare fearfully. The hobgoblin singer’s voice cracks and dies, and the beggar cowers and heads for the exit surprisingly rapidly for a man supposedly crippled in the Last War. The goblin traders cease their highly vocal discussion and watch on warily. While the bugbear continues to rock in his seat, now his eyes are wide open. An uncertain whispering begins in a number of guttural languages, but one word can be heard emanating from several sources: “Daask”.

Knowledge (Local) checks please. As most of you know Sharn reasonably well, you can make this check untrained if you haven’t taken skill ranks in it.

The gnolls scan the bar, and then stride over towards the woman and man you noticed earlier, their weapon harnesses and armour clinking, unhooking heavy axes from their belts. The woman sits up straight in alarm but the man leans back and smiles unpleasantly, seeming to savour her dismay. Their voices are clear as the rest of the drinkers seem to hold their breath.

“What is the meaning of this, Heris?” says the woman, her voice shrill.

The man’s smile broadens. “Actually, I’m not Heris, he couldn’t make it tonight. No, he decided to go fishing instead.” He chuckles, and the gnolls join in with high-pitched yapping. “You’re coming with us, so don’t make a fuss. Someone wants to have a little chat with you.”

The gnolls grab her roughly and begin to drag her from the bar. The man follows close behind her, a dagger pressed against the small of he back. She gazes at Runzyl briefly in a silent plea as she is manhandled towards the door.

What are you going to do next? Don’t plan long term – just what you are going to do in the next few seconds or so.

"Hey, you smelly pups" Nox howls "Where you going with that young lady, we where just about to enjoy a good meal." With that said Nox flings his mug at the human in the back of the group.

Knowlege(local) I got a 4, Atk: roll 16 +2 dex=20, if that hits.....2 dmg WOOT

Knowledge(local) roll = 17
My short-term plans are to rescue the maiden. I'll move toward the door in an attempt to keep them from just walking out with her

"This could get ugly, boys," Trose says to Frogshanks and Ezreal, "Gnolls are tough, but the bad ones are notorious for eating employees and victims, alike. Grandmother always said 'Only work for the villians when you have the upper hand, and if that's the case, why aren't they working for you."
He stands up and draws his shortsword.

Waiting for intitiative before I write any more action in than that.

If you get more than 10 on your Knowledge (local):

If you get 15 or more, you also know this:

If you get 20 or more:

Runzyl stands again, grinning wickedly as he unsheathes his weapon and points at the man who the gnolls seem to be working for as they begin to make off with the woman.

"You bring a pack of armed men against an unarmed woman? What manner of cowards are you?!" Runzyl almost hisses after the final statement, putting himself into a battle stance as he prepares to charge.

I haven't been here long enough to warrant a Knowledge(Local) check, so I'll forego it. Also, my initiative roll is 17 + 4 = 21. I'm planning to charge the closest gnoll, jumping over tables and chairs if need be, and cut him down.

Knowledge (local) roll = 7. Never heard about these guys...

"They look plenty big and mean, boss. Gotta strike them hard and bring 'em down fast". Janosz mutters a nasty oath as he stands up and pulls out his dagger. "Shoulda brought my real weapon. This thing here is strictly a backup piece. Good thing I'm wearin' me armour". He nods in appreciation as the elf steps forward, brandishing his bizarre double sword. "At least we are not alone. This should be fun...".

I try to set up a flanking attempt with Trose, preferably on a gnoll first

My take on Spot and Listen has always been that they are for, well, seeing and hearing things. Search, on the other hand, is for poking around and locating hidden objects or mechanisms. Thus, I would use Spot to see the woman's Dragonmark, but Search to pat her down afterwards to find the huge bag of gold she's carrying. Of course, that might just be me...

Forgot initiative.. 12+1=13 already posted my action

We aren't on initiative yet - this is sort of a preliminary round - but we'll take the rolls people have made when we inevitably get into combat. Just waiting for Ezreal to post.

In the meantime, a bit of description. The bar is effectively a long narrown room running north-south. The north end is the exit to the exterior, the south end is a door to the kitchens. The room is about 50' long and 25' wide. The actual bar runs along the entirety of the west wall and is about 5' wide. Small round tables are set at about every 5 feet along the east wall and into the room, with about a 10' gap running down the middle of the room between the table area and the bar. The tables count as difficult terrain - half movement, can't charge.

The woman and the gnolls are about half way down the bar, heading north to the exit. Nox is the closest, sitting at the bar and about 5' away. Runzyl is about 10' away, at a table to the north. The rest of you are about 20' away, also north, close to the exit.

Small round tables are set at about every 5 feet along the east wall and into the room, with about a 10' gap running down the middle of the room between the table area and the bar. The tables count as difficult terrain - half movement, can't charge.

Can we use the Jump skill to leap over the obstacles and still complete a charge action since Jump counts as part of your regular movement anyway?

Yes - the tables are about 2' high (goblin size) and require a standing jump to clear.

[ My take on Spot and Listen has always been that they are for, well, seeing and hearing things. Search, on the other hand, is for poking around and locating hidden objects or mechanisms. Thus, I would use Spot to see the woman's Dragonmark, but Search to pat her down afterwards to find the huge bag of gold she's carrying. Of course, that might just be me...

Not sure it is clarified in the PHB, so I suspect there are different versions depending on the point of the view of the DM. I'd prefer to run with my version, if only because I know wot I mean and might get confused otherwise.

Not sure it is clarified in the PHB, so I suspect there are different versions depending on the point of the view of the DM. I'd prefer to run with my version, if only because I know wot I mean and might get confused otherwise.

Of course - it is, after all, the privilege of the DM to set the rules. Two questions:

knowledge, local (untrained): 17

“Daask.” States Lightbringer, as he sees the gnolls swagger into the room. “This is bad.” Not as bad as the Cult of the Dragon Below, but in Dura … almost as bad.

Standing suddenly, his greatsword to hand, Lightbringer throws back his cloak, the silver flame symbol etched into the chest of his armor plating clearly visible to anyone looking in his direction.

“Halt!” He commands in a loud voice, as the gnolls begin to drag the human woman from her seat. “Unhand her, and leave unharmed. Or stay, and face the light of the Flame!”

Lightbringer moves to position himself between the Daask gangers and the doorway (assuming he can do so in time). He holds his weapon ready, but not yet in attack position.

I assume that if he can set himself between the gnolls and the doorway there will be few, if any, tables between he and them? When the time comes, Initiative = 11

EDIT:Oh, and I suppose an intimidate check may be in order - I don't really expect it to work, but on the chance it does, check result is 17+1 = 18

Lightbringer’s intention is to rescue the woman, by word or by force, not to get bogged down in a needless fight with Daask soldiers. However, it seems at this point that fighting the abductors may be the way to achieve that. He is heartened by the fact that several other of the tavern’s patrons seem willing (even eager!) to stand up to Daask as well. His faith in the common people of Sharn is rapidly being bolstered.

Although he considers that the gangsters may use the woman as a hostage if hostilities break out, he thinks (hopes!) that they will not – if they had intended to kill her, there are easier ways and places to do so than here. They clearly want her alive, and no doubt their boss will be none too pleased if she winds up dead. That is his hope at any rate…

Presumably, as the gnolls head towards him, Lightbringer cannot see that the human male has a knife to the woman’s back – at any rate he cannot easily reach the man without passing the gnolls first.

Do all the gnolls have hold of the woman, or only one or two? They have their axes to hand – I presume they do not also hold shields? Can I tell what sort of armour they wear (in general terms?)

OK, let's run through the action and questions as they stand:

I have slept on the double-weapon-used-two-handed issue and have changed my mind. You can strike with it with one end and get STRx1.5 extra damage. Uncle Aub is so good to you....

There are plenty of mugs of beer knocking about, if you want to grab one of those. Remember (and this goes for Nox's beer throwing too) that unless you have proficiency in improvised weapons (which is a feat, somewhere, I think) then you take a -4 penalty to hit.

The human doesn't appear to be a spellcaster. More of a rogue-y look.

If you were trying a combat Intimidation, you need to be in melee range. If you were trying to just terrify them into submission, good roll, but.....

Two of the gnolls have the woman, but as she has a dagger jabbed in her back she is moving with them without them having to drag particularly. The other is 5' in front of them. No, they don't have shields. They seem to be wearing chain shirts. They are holding battleaxes.

If you were trying a combat Intimidation, you need to be in melee range. If you were trying to just terrify them into submission, good roll, but.....

Two of the gnolls have the woman, but as she has a dagger jabbed in her back she is moving with them without them having to drag particularly. The other is 5' in front of them. No, they don't have shields. They seem to be wearing chain shirts. They are holding battleaxes.

Just trying to terrify them into submission. Don't worry, I didn't expect it to work! At the best I hoped maybe to give them pause for a moment...

It all happens very swiftly. One moment, the gnolls are dragging the woman out unopposed. The next, the man is drenched in beer and the group have been challenged by two armed warriors with two more rising to their feet.

"You f&@+ing b!++*, you set me up," he snarls. "GORRUT! TARL! GET IN HERE!" he yells at the top of his voice. Meanwhile, the gnolls lips pull back, revealing oversized pointed teeth, and they release the woman, adopting a hunched, fighting posture and gripping their axes in both hands. The one in front fixes its eyes on Lightbringer and growls thickly in Common, "Iron man, Barok kill you."

OK, I need initiative rolls from Trose, Froggy and Ezreal. At the moment we have:
Runzyl 21
Bad guy 21
Nox 13
Lightbringer 11
Gnolls 8

Ezreal may have only been in Sharn for a week, but there are only so many ways you can interpret the hush and fearful whispers that just fell over the tavern with the gnolls arrival. None of them are good. And then they drew their axes... in a public house... against an unarmed woman. There were certain things that a military representative of Karrnath would have to be willing to accept when traveling in greater Khorvaire. A general sense of lawlessness and those trying to profit from it following the last war was to be expected. So it was that Ezreal was willing to turn a blind eye to that disgrace to a military uniform working the crowd for coin. It wasn't his concern and if the citizens of Sharn chose to accept such behavior rather than lashing some respect for the uniform into common vagrants then so be it.

But this was different. The gall of such a display infuriated Ezreal to his core. For any criminal element to feel that they could threaten patrons of a public house openly and drag them off into the street unopposed! Unthinkable. And he was certainly glad to see that he wasn't the only one to think so when he quickly scanned the crowd to assess the tactical situation. Only minutes after joining his new friends the mage found himself on his feet again and casting in preparation for the only way this scene could logically play out at this point. Using Trose's bulk to obscure his motions and appear less threatening, the mage slapped both palms together, fingers vertical arms horizontal, and quickly chanted the incantion.

No Kn Local check as I've only been in town a week.
Init: 5 when it comes to that.
Action: Cast Mage Armor
I'm back now. Full time. I do tend to post at early am hours, but it seems Aubrey is on the same schedule at least. Which probably puts him well around the world from brooklyn since I'm an overnighter. Thanks
for your patience over the last couple days.

No probs, glad you got your internet sorted out. By the way, Ezreal really lives and breathes this Lawful Neutral thing, doesn't he - nice job.

Nox, you need to work out what spells you have memorised for the day. (As a default, assume Bless and Shield of Faith if you don't have any particular preference on this specific occasion.) Also, going forward, could those spell casters who prepare spells let me know what spells they have memorised for each day? Cheers.

A simple question - would anyone fancy playing an Eberron campaign on these boards, DM'ed by moi?

A simple question - would anyone fancy playing an Eberron campaign on these boards, DM'ed by moi?

I have yet to actually participate in an Eberron campaign of any sort, though I have read the core setting book and own it as well. I would certainly be interested in such a campaign since I've always been eager to give this world a shot but have never found anyone willing to run it. Count me in!

I would love to do that but how exactly does a game work over the boards..I'm also somewhat of an inexperienced player.

Jakers, check out the other play-by-post threads to see how it would work.

I'm probably looking for about 5 players or so (the standard number) and would be happy to have you (experience isn't an issue - we all have to start somewhere - give me a shout if you want more info).

I'm aiming to start at level 1, 32 point buy and using the action point system set out in the Eberron Sourcebook. If you (or anyone) are unfamiliar with Eberron, I will post up some details.

Like Fatspinner, I have no experience with Eberron, but would like to give it a shot. As I have none of the sourcebooks, I would need some extra info. I'll be a human, though, so don't worry about the races.

I'm aiming to start at level 1, 32 point buy and using the action point system set out in the Eberron Sourcebook. If you (or anyone) are unfamiliar with Eberron, I will post up some details.

Question: What rules supplements are you allowing? I'm thinking about doing a barbarian but I would like to use the Whirling Frenzy variant of rage from the Unearthed Arcana. If you don't have that book or don't want to allow it, it's cool. If you could post an overview of what books are and are not allowed, I would appreciate it. If you want to limit it to Core 3 and the Eberron books, that would be great too. I just want to know before I start working anything up. Thanks!

So to my understanding someone starts the story and then we all reply "in charecter" in a pargraph, my question is, is there anything that acctually involves game play for example: dice rolling and such. either way count me in. thanks for the help

I'm excited about the idea of an Eberron campaign. I only have the main Eberron book, but I'm pretty familiar with pbp. Any idea about where it will be set? Also post character submissions here or by email?

Hey Aubrey - sounds cool. I've been hoping to get a chance to play Eberron since I got the campaign book for christmas a year (and a quarter) back.

I'm definately interested, although a little concerned I might be starting to over extend myself on these PbP games! Nit to mention that I don't want to hog all the spaces... What sort of posting schedule would you be looking at? Similar to Arctaris' game?

Any clues about theme of campign? Exploring Xendrick, political intrigue in the Five Nations, criminal investigations in Sharn...?

Just to get on the goat of half the people on these boards, I might play a Warforged Paladin... ;-)

I'm interested, but I may be too late. lol.

Wow - I'm quite surprised by the interest. I'll cap things at six, so all those who have expressed an interest so far can play. I'll post up some info about the game and the setting, but I can't right now as I'm at work. I'm in the UK timezone, and going out tonight, so it might take a few days.

Re supplements, I'll give a list of definate "OKs" and if anyone wants something else, please provide me with details so I can rule. I'm pretty free and easy on rules variants and so on - I like to see how they work in the field, so to speak, rather than just read about them - so generally expect a yes unless it is obviously gross. However, just to let you have a preliminary idea, anything in an Eberron sourcebook is fine, and anything in a "Complete" book and the Expanded Psionics Handbook.

The action will start in a dingy pub in Sharn (a very big city, for those who don't know) - no cliche left unflogged! When creating your characters, please think of a reason why they are there: because they are dingy themselves, they are meeting someone (maybe another PC), they are just passing through, slumming, or whatever. The setting is in the immediate aftermath of a massive civil war, so think what your characters were doing in that war, if anything, and what they might have been through. I'm hoping the tome will be a bit gritty and fairly action packed, with a bit of mystery. But I have a habit of telling crap jokes, so that may not be sustained all the time. :-)

If anyone wants a private chat, my email address is malexanderfell@hotmail.com. And thanks again for the interest.

Alex

Hey Aubrey - sounds cool. I've been hoping to get a chance to play Eberron since I got the campaign book for christmas a year (and a quarter) back.

I'm definately interested, although a little concerned I might be starting to over extend myself on these PbP games! Nit to mention that I don't want to hog all the spaces... What sort of posting schedule would you be looking at? Similar to Arctaris' game?

Any clues about theme of campign? Exploring Xendrick, political intrigue in the Five Nations, criminal investigations in Sharn...?

Just to get on the goat of half the people on these boards, I might play a Warforged Paladin... ;-)

A warforged would be very cool and appropriate.

I'm excited about the idea of an Eberron campaign. I only have the main Eberron book, but I'm pretty familiar with pbp. Any idea about where it will be set? Also post character submissions here or by email?

Post you characters where you would find it easiest - just make sure I can find it. For the Northwind Sun campaign we used www.dmtools.org/world - there is a link in the Northwind Sun Discussion thread. Or post it here. Or send it to me in word or Excel format. Whatever suits.

So to my understanding someone starts the story and then we all reply "in charecter" in a pargraph, my question is, is there anything that acctually involves game play for example: dice rolling and such. either way count me in. thanks for the help

Yes, we will be rolling, though it might be offstage. Have you seen how to write stuff "out of character"? Any rolls and their results would be written up out of character, and the in character stuff would be written as normal. (But if that is too complicated, just use brackets or something - I'm not anal about it.) I'm trusting people to make their own rolls - it speeds things up, and makes it more fun for the participants.

Question: What rules supplements are you allowing? I'm thinking about doing a barbarian but I would like to use the Whirling Frenzy variant of rage from the Unearthed Arcana. If you don't have that book or don't want to allow it, it's cool. If you could post an overview of what books are and are not allowed, I would appreciate it. If you want to limit it to Core 3 and the Eberron books, that would be great too. I just want to know before I start working anything up. Thanks!

Let me know what it does and I'll let you know. Probably yes, unless it is wildly unbalanced.

I'd join up if it isn't too late.

You can contact me at yogsothoth@wildmoo.net.

'Fraid you're a bit late, Shiny - six PCs in one more than I really envisaged. But people drop out all the time from these things, so I'll buzz you if it happens here.

Let me know what it does and I'll let you know. Probably yes, unless it is wildly unbalanced.

I can't get this link to behave properly, so you'll have to cut/paste this addy:

www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/classFeatureVariants.htm

SRD mentions the Whirling Frenzy variant on that page. Basically it improves my Dex, allows me an extra attack, and GIVES me AC instead of taking it away. Later on, instead of Greater Rage and all that, I get Evasion while in my Whirling Frenzy. You can look over the whole thing and make a rules call. If I recall correctly, the disadvantage is that I don't get the Constitution boost or the bonus to Will saves.

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:

Let me know what it does and I'll let you know. Probably yes, unless it is wildly unbalanced.

I can't get this link to behave properly, so you'll have to cut/paste this addy:

www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/classFeatureVariants.htm

SRD mentions the Whirling Frenzy variant on that page. Basically it improves my Dex, allows me an extra attack, and GIVES me AC instead of taking it away. Later on, instead of Greater Rage and all that, I get Evasion while in my Whirling Frenzy. You can look over the whole thing and make a rules call. If I recall correctly, the disadvantage is that I don't get the Constitution boost or the bonus to Will saves.

Does it get the STR bonus?

Does it get the STR bonus?

I don't remember. I think so. Check the SRD page I posted. I can't look at it because it is blocked by my firewall at work, but I know that it should be on that page (thanks, Google!).

so 32 point buy and pretty open classes (i was thinking scout)would it be ok to post my chr. on the thread

that is if im still in. if you wanna get a hold of me
numbskullinc@hotmail.com

OK, roster of those who are in:

Fatespinner
Vatnisse
Jakers
Trose
Mothman
Ithuriel

My notes on the setting are on a different computer so I will need to compose them anew (a few days, probably).

SRD mentions the Whirling Frenzy variant on that page. Basically it improves my Dex, allows me an extra attack, and GIVES me AC instead of taking it away. Later on, instead of Greater Rage and all that, I get Evasion while in my Whirling Frenzy. You can look over the whole thing and make a rules call. If I recall correctly, the disadvantage is that I don't get the Constitution boost or the bonus to Will saves.

Checked the SRD, you can go with Whirling Frenzy. As a point of note, Eberron and Khorvaire in particular tend to be relatively sophisticated and barbarian-free - what is your character concept?

Checked the SRD, you can go with Whirling Frenzy. As a point of note, Eberron and Khorvaire in particular tend to be relatively sophisticated and barbarian-free - what is your character concept?

I'm planning on doing a Valenar elven warrior who has gone on a pilgrimmage to prove himself worthy to his ancestors. I know the Valenar are very much into ancestor worship and I'm thinking that perhaps his father recently died and was not considered worthy of being preserved as one of the ancestors. He is angered by this but has vowed that he will accomplish great things and that he will become a better warrior than his father. To do this, he must travel abroad and prove himself against greater challenges.

Also, another question for you: Because Valenar elven society is different from 'traditional' elven societies in D&D, any chance I can trade my racial longsword/rapier proficiency for proficiency in the double scimitar? Or, at the very least, get the equivalent of the Dwarven racial where I can treat it as a martial weapon instead of exotic (which would give me proficiency anyway)?

Oh, and also: How many Action Points do we start with?

'Fraid you're a bit late, Shiny - six PCs in one more than I really envisaged. But people drop out all the time from these things, so I'll buzz you if it happens here.

OK. Thanks.

Sounds very cool, Aubrey...I'll be anxious to see how things go. I've become enamored of the setting lately myself and have ordered some additonal sourcebooks to go along with my ECS book...I'm actually thinking of using Eberron in a future campaign and I'll peek into your play by post campaign for some inspiration, if you don't mind.

A warforged would be very cool and appropriate.

Thanks for letting me in mate.

Ok, I'm thinking along the lines of a warforged warrior type or perhaps even a cleric or artificer (but maybe not a warrior, as Fatespinner looks like he's got that slot pinned down)

Or else perhaps a human or shifter rogue type, focusing on investigation.

The second gives an easy reason as to why he's slumming it in a Sharn bar (following a lead, seeking employment, trying to up his street cred or some such)

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:

Checked the SRD, you can go with Whirling Frenzy. As a point of note, Eberron and Khorvaire in particular tend to be relatively sophisticated and barbarian-free - what is your character concept?

I'm planning on doing a Valenar elven warrior who has gone on a pilgrimmage to prove himself worthy to his ancestors. I know the Valenar are very much into ancestor worship and I'm thinking that perhaps his father recently died and was not considered worthy of being preserved as one of the ancestors. He is angered by this but has vowed that he will accomplish great things and that he will become a better warrior than his father. To do this, he must travel abroad and prove himself against greater challenges.

Sounds good.

Also, another question for you: Because Valenar elven society is different from 'traditional' elven societies in D&D, any chance I can trade my racial longsword/rapier proficiency for proficiency in the double scimitar? Or, at the very least, get the equivalent of the Dwarven racial where I can treat it as a martial weapon instead of exotic (which would give me proficiency anyway)?

I thought they did anyway - read the details in the ECS, and let me know.

Oh, and also: How many Action Points do we start with?

Standard: 5 + half your level = 5 at 1st level.

Can you let me know please how many of you are familiar with the Eberron setting - just so I know?

I know some terms (warforged, dragonmarked houses, artificers), but that's about it. Also, I've read Jason Bulmahn's campaign log, and I play some DDO...

Can you let me know please how many of you are familiar with the Eberron setting - just so I know?

I own the Campaign setting and the Sharn, City of Towers supplement, and have read through each from cover to cover once, about a year ago. I’ve read all of the Eberron adventures published in Dungeon. (Hmmm … will that be a problem? Are you planning to use them? They’re mainly all mysteries, and I know whodunit …)

I'm familiar with ECS, but don't have any of the other books. Also did a few months of DDO.

I pretty flexible on class so I was waiting to see if others had strong preferences and any roles needed to be filled. I'm thinking about an Orien affiliated courier (likely also a smuggler). Last in line to inherit anything and out to make a name for himself and build up his own operation. Would be human, but this would work as a cleric of Kol Korran, a bard, sorceror, rogue or artificer.

I was also tossing around the idea of a soldier deserter turned sham evangelist for the silver flame. That one would be a bard.

I'll work it out by this evening. Thanks for letting me join up.

I own the Campaign setting and the Sharn, City of Towers supplement, and have read through each from cover to cover once, about a year ago. I’ve read all of the Eberron adventures published in Dungeon. (Hmmm … will that be a problem? Are you planning to use them? They’re mainly all mysteries, and I know whodunit …)

It won't be a problem - I won't be using the Dungeon modules.

Eberron – key differences from standard setting

This is a brief note to provide a bit of explanation about the Eberron setting. It won’t contain much specific rules information as (1) I don’t want to be sued by WotC and (2) I’m at work and don’t have my books. However, it is intended as a taster for the setting for those who are unfamiliar. If any players want more details, please let me know and I will email more details to you. However, I think three key points need to be made:

1. As they emphasise in the ECS (Eberron Campaign Sourcebook), if it is in the standard game, it is in Eberron. However, it might be a bit different in Eberron. One particular theme is a greater flexibility in alignments – satanically evil gold dragons and saintly orcs are not unusual. So the “it’s a goblin – kill it” mentality is not terribly appropriate here.

2. There is lots of stuff about the “wrongness” of Eberron – it’s too steampuky, it’s too much like science fiction, and so on. My experience, as my Eberron campaign with my non-virtual group comes to a close, is actually how similar the overall experience is from a gaming perspective. It still basically involves a bit of plot, a bit of adventure, and lots of smacking monsters and bad guys around in combat. Don’t expect some sort of majorly different D&D experience – the similarities are more prominent that the differences. The setting has a number of interesting quirks, but it is still very much D&D.

3. The details below might be considered common knowledge in the campaign. Anyone with a detailed knowledge of the ECS may know more – but their PCs might not.

The World

The world (standard spherical sort of thing) is called Eberron. There are a number of large continents, namely:

Khorvaire – where most of the action takes place, and heavily detailed in the ECS and other supplements. Detailed below.

Sarlona – the original birthplace of humans, and currently dominated by the Riedran Empire, a sort of theocracy where the Inspired, psionically powerful and eerily beautiful humans, rule as hereditary rulers and living gods. While they have been providing material assistance to a number of governments in the aftermath of the Last War (more on this below) travel to Riedra is discouraged by its rulers. Sarlona is also the home of the kalashtar, a psionically powerful humanoid race at odds with the Inspired, who dwell in the region of Adar. Kalashtar are one of the new PC races in the ECS (see below).

Xendrik – a wild jungle continent, formerly the home of an ancient giant civilisation which collapsed into barbarism 10,000 years ago. Little is known about the interior.

Argonessen – a continent where dragons rule supreme and value their privacy. Again, little is known about the place – visitors tend not to be heard of again.

Aerenal – a smallish, tropical continent. Home to the Aerenal elves (see below) viewed by some as a morbid race who worship death.

Frostfell – an arctic continent in the north.

Khorvaire

Khorvaire is the key continent for Eberron as it is the most detailed and, consequently, most diverse. Historically, Khorvaire was effectively ruled in its entirety by the Kingdom of Galifar. This situation lasted for almost 1000 years, up until about a century ago, when the Last War commenced. Galifar was traditionally divided up into five provinces, known collectively as the Five Nations and ruled as the fiefdoms of the various children of the king. A dispute over the succession led to a century-long civil war, which ended about two years ago. In the aftermath, four of the Five nations remain in diminished form as independent states, while the chaos of the War has led to the rise of a number of other nations carved from the remains of Galifar. Specifically, the Five Nations are:

Breland – the largest of the Five nations, and left in a reasonable state at the end of the war. Economically powerful, with the industrial metropolis of Sharn as its largest city (though the capital is in Wroat). Breland sits in the southern portion of Khorvaire, and has a mild, sub-tropical climate. It is also the gateway to Xendrik, as Sharn is the nearest major port to this mysterious continent.

Aundair – relatively prosperous with an agrarian economy, Aundair is also home to the continents greatest university and also its most prominent magic school. Aundair lost a lot of territory in the Last War, losing the Thaliost region to Thrane in the east and a lot of its western territory to the Eldeen Reaches. Aundair is to the northwest of the continent.

Thrane – sandwiched between Aundair to the west and Karrnath to the east, Thrane is a theocratic state dedicated to the Silver Flame (see below). Thranes have a reputation for priggishness and a rigid mindset, and while the Silver Flame is considered a force for good, Thrane committed its fair share of atrocities in the Last War. There is widespread prejudice against non-worshippers of the Flame and non-humans. The economy is primarily agrarian.

Karrnath – a military dictatorship, Karrn troops and officers were probably among the best in the war. However, Karrnath suffered a number of setbacks in the War, and consequently the economy is in a parlous state. Karrnath is also the home of the Blood of Vol cult (see below), formerly the state religion of Karrnath. The land is relatively cool, being to the north of Korvaire.

Cyre – now called the Mournland, Cyre no longer exists, obliterated in the Day of Mourning two years before the end of the War, an event as mysterious as it was apocalyptic. Cyre now comprises an unlivable wasteland of rock, surrounded by a curtain of grey mist, home only to the tormented souls of the dead and a few renegade warforged (see below). There are a number of expatriate Cyrans in various of the remaining nations, generally living in poverty. The largest community is in Breland, where King Boranel offered them land to build a new community.

The Five Nations as they exist today effectively occupy the central portion of Khorvaire. The further extremities of the continent to the east and west have seen the rise of new nation states as peoples previously suppressed by the might of the Galifar have founded their own nations, either through diplomacy or (more often) blood and fire. These are:

The Shadow Marches – at the far west of Khorvaire, this is a land of swamps and marshes and also the homeland of the orcs (and half-orcs). Many follow the druidic path of the Gatekeepers, while others follow the darker teachings of the Dragon Below (see below).

Droaam – the Land of Monsters, to the west of Breland. Ruled by a triumvirate of powerful hags, this is home to a large number of non-human groups such as harpies, medusas, ogres and so on. It is a hard land and, while the inhabitants are not universally evil, it is extremely dangerous for the traveller.

The Eldeen Reaches – west of Aundair, this is a forested realm ruled by druids. It is also the primary centre for the continents population of shifters, a humanoid race descended from lycanthropes that travel in nomadic groups beneath the canopy. (Shifters are another new race in the ECS.)

The Demon Wastes – not a nation exactly, more a place: a hellish reminder of the ancient history of Eberron when it was ruled by rakshasa rajas. No one lives here apart from savage barbarian tribes and a few desperate exiles. Cold winds and boiling lava predominate.

Zilargo – to the west of Breland, the gnomish homeland. Superficially a pleasant and harmonious place, the inquisitive nature of the gnomes hides a calculating, hierarchical society where knowledge is power. Home to the most respected news sheet in Khorvaire, the Korranberg Chronicle, and at the forefront of arcane research into such topics as elemental binding.

Darguun – carved from the belly of Cyre by goblinoid troops hardened by mercenary duty in the Last War, this is a new nation ruled by hobgoblins and risen from the ashes of the ancient hobgoblin Dhakaani Empire of millenia past.

Q’barra – founded by Galifaran idealists hoping to escape the War and found a new society, this nation was established in the clammy jungles of the south, filled with mostly hostile lizardfolk. Life is perilous in this tough frontier environment, hanging by a thread between ignominious starvation and attacks from the jungle. Rumours persist of lost cities in the depths of the rain forest.

Valenar – home to the aggressive Valenar elves, originally mercenaries from Aerenal but now claiming a stake in Khorvaire. Peerless cavalry, they venerate their ancestors by trying to outdo them in deeds of bravery and warfare. Their constant raiding is a thorn in the side of Karrnath as they probe the southern defences of this realm.

Talenta Plains – a broad swathe of grassland running east from the shattered remnants of Cyre, and home to the Talenta halfling tribes, barbarians who herd the native dinosaurs. Generally only aggressive in defence of their possessions, they clash frequently with the Karrns and the Valenar, sandwiched as they are between the two.

Mror Holds – the mountain fastness of the dwarven clans. The formerly war-like clans were forged into a banking and mercantile powerhouse under the Kingdom of Galifar, which broke free from Karrnath to the west during the War. The clans still bicker, but are held together by ties of commerce to eachother and the rest of Khorvaire.

Lhazaar Principalities – at the far east of Khorvaire, a series of island realms ruled by a number of individual “princes”, their power linked to their fleets of war ships. Many are little more than glorified pirates. However, it has the distinction of being the first region settled by humans from Sarlona, led by the legendary Lhazaar.

Phew - not bad from memory! More to come.

I have everything published before Sarlona (I think).
I've got a pretty good handle on the setting.
I'm thinking about playing an artificer, but I'm no further along than that.
I'll try to knock something together today.

Sounds very cool, Aubrey...I'll be anxious to see how things go. I've become enamored of the setting lately myself and have ordered some additonal sourcebooks to go along with my ECS book...I'm actually thinking of using Eberron in a future campaign and I'll peek into your play by post campaign for some inspiration, if you don't mind.

I don't mind at all - any input to the discussion thread would be welcome.

Can you let me know please how many of you are familiar with the Eberron setting - just so I know?

I own the ECS book but that's it. I haven't really read it all the way through but I am familiar with the history of the Silver Flame and Aundair (since that was where I was planning a campaign that never happened). I also have some knowledge about the planes, but I wouldn't call it extensive. That's really about it.

Regarding the double scimitar, I can't find anything that says they do or don't get it for free. In the description of the weapon it says it's very common amongst the Valenar elves. Your call. If I don't get the proficiency, it's no big deal. I just thought it would be cool to use a signature weapon of my people.

I own the ECS book but that's it. I haven't really read it all the way through but I am familiar with the history of the Silver Flame and Aundair (since that was where I was planning a campaign that never happened). I also have some knowledge about the planes, but I wouldn't call it extensive. That's really about it.

Regarding the double scimitar, I can't find anything that says they do or don't get it for free. In the description of the weapon it says it's very common amongst the Valenar elves. Your call. If I don't get the proficiency, it's no big deal. I just thought it would be cool to use a signature weapon of my people.

Check out the first few pages of the ECS to do with character creation. I'm sure there is a section which replaces the standard elven proficiencies of rapier, longsword, longbow and short bow with scimitar, double scimitar and short bow. I'll check tonight and look for it myself and let you know. Also, the favoured class for valenar elf is ranger, not wizard, unless I am much mistaken.

Check out the first few pages of the ECS to do with character creation. I'm sure there is a section which replaces the standard elven proficiencies of rapier, longsword, longbow and short bow with scimitar, double scimitar and short bow. I'll check tonight and look for it myself and let you know. Also, the favoured class for valenar elf is ranger, not wizard, unless I am much mistaken.

Aha! Page 27! "Elves native to this region treat the Valenar double scimitar as a martial weapon rather than an exotic weapon."

Perfect!

You are correct about the Ranger thing, which isn't an issue since I'm going to be a barbarian anyway. Also, it doesn't mention anything about losing the normal longsword, rapier, longbow, and shortbow proficiencies. I'm not planning on using the swords, but the bow proficiencies will be nice... whenever I can afford such a weapon.

How are we determining starting gold? By the book?

Here's what I have so far (pending alterations based on available wealth and potential house rules).

I'll check again, but I'm pretty sure I'm correct in this. Like the character - a bit of a meathead, but he does the job. Give the high DEX (and access to the Jump skill, with which it has synergies) have you considered taking the Tumble skill cross-class? Might go nicely with the Whirling Frenzy routine (and I'm pretty sure you can Rage and Tumble at the same time). Just one of my power-gamer suggestions - it's not a hint or anything.

Oh, and valenar are supposed to be horsemen. You may wish to consider taking some ranks in Ride, but again it is up to you.

Re wealth, assume everyone has the maximum amount of money available to a 1st level character of that class on generation.

I have everything published before Sarlona (I think).

I've got a pretty good handle on the setting.
I'm thinking about playing an artificer, but I'm no further along than that.
I'll try to knock something together today.

Artificers are great on support - we have one in our non-virtual campaign, and he really adds edge to the group. They also are useful for rogue-y stuff with the locks and traps, which frees up that slot if no one wants to play one. They lack the massive fire power of a true wizard or sorcerer (though their facility with magic items though the Use magic Item skill and item creation feats makes up for this somewhat) but are very good on providing buffs. But they are capital intensive - as they need to make items to be effective, they consume cash fast.

Races

All of the standard races are available in Eberron, with very little change from the core mechanics. However, there are some flavour changes, as follows:

Humans

No significant rule changes. Humans are the dominant race in the Five Nations, though these all have significant minorities of other races too. Humans did not originate on Khorvaire, but came from Sarlona several thousand years ago. They spread rapidly across a continent depopulated in the wake of the wars which destroyed the hobgoblin Dhakaani Empire.

Dwarves

No significant rule changes. The major population centre for the dwarves is the Mror Holds. It is though they originated from Frostfell, but so long ago no one can remember. They tend to be clannish amongst themselves, though they also have a strong entrepreneurial bent.

Elves

Elves originated on Xendrik as the slaves of the giant civilisation which ruled there over 10,000 years ago. Escaping from their bondage as the empire collapsed, they moved to Aerenal and established a unique civilisation based on ancestor worship. Since then, four major strands of the elven race have emerged:

Aerenal elves – the current inhabitants of Aerenal are members of this cultural strand. Regarded with some suspicion by some outsiders, they are relatively reclusive, practising a form of ancestor worship that looks suspiciously like necromancy. They have fought a number of conflicts with the dragons of Argonessen. This has no actual rules implications, but the culture is very different from the normal, sylvan elf culture described in the core setting.

Valenar elves – an offshoot of a particular branch of the Aerenal elves, which has established itself in Valenar in Khorvaire. Rather than the seemingly morbid form of ancestor worship practised by the mainstream Aerenal elves, the Valenar venerate their warrior ancestors through emulation. As such, they are warriors, generally cavalry, and aggressively expansionist as a nation. Valenar elves are the same as standard elves, except their favoured class is Ranger and they have different weapon proficiencies.

Khorvaire elves – these are the descendants of elves who migrated in small number to Khorvaire from Aerenal millennia ago, due to upheavals in their homeland. They have since become fully integrated into the culture of Galifar/the Five Nations. They are not especially common, and congregate primarily in the urban areas. They have standard elven traits and abilities.

Drow – drow are the elves who remained in Xendrik. They have a very primitive culture, being nomadic hunter tribesmen. They are extremely rare elsewhere, as they tend to be extremely xenophobic. They have standard drow traits, except that they have different weapon proficiencies.

Gnomes

No significant rule changes. Gnomes hail from Zilargo. They have a relatively peaceful and placid society, though one with significant undercurrents of political struggle in all levels and walks of life. Very little can be taken at face value in Zilargo. However, they value learning (and information gathering) and are well-respected magic researchers - a number of notable advances of recent years, such as elemental ships, are partly the result of gnomish inventions.

Half-elves

No significant rule changes. Half-elves form a distinctive race in Khorvaire – that is, most half-elves are the descendants of half-elves, rather than from elven and human parents. The originally arose from the mixing between Aerenal emigrants to Khorvaire and the local human population. They are well-integrated into the society of the Five Nations.

Half-orcs

No significant rule changes. Half-orcs are relatively uncommon, and where they do arise it tends to be in the Shadow Marches. There, orcish and human tribes frequently interact.

Halflings

No significant rules changes. However, there are two major groupings of halflings in Khorvaire. The halflings of the Talenta Plains are tribal herdsmen, and have a primitive animistic culture based on their relationships with their dinosaur herds. Khorvaire halflings are the urbanised descendants of these tribesmen, and are integrated into the broader community in what was Galifar.

The ECS also provides details on four other character races. These are as follows:

Changelings

Descendants of humans and doppelgangers, changelings have since formed their own distinctive race. In their natural form, they are slightly built, grey-skinned humanoids with putty-like features. However, very few changelings are found in their natural form, as they have the natural ability to take on the appearance of other humanoids. This naturally makes them adept as disguise and larcenous activities, and as such they are often subject to prejudice from the wider population. They have Rogue as their favoured class.

Kalashtar

The kalashtar are very similar to ordinary humans in appearance, if somewhat more delicately built. They are naturally psionic, being able to link minds with those nearby, and their favoured class is Psion (I think – this is all from memory). They are generally kindly but somewhat aloof, and tend not to mix much with other races.

Shifters

Shifters are the descendants of lycanthropes, but rather than being an affliction their bestial nature has been internalised in a process call shifting. When a shifter shifts, this animalistic trait is released, enhancing the shifter in a number of ways. (In game terms, a shifter chooses a shifter trait which can be used, a bit like a barbarian rage, to enhance them for a limited period of time. There are a number of traits with different effects to choose from, ranging from increased AC, growing claws or fangs as natural weapons, enhanced senses, and so on.) Shifters have a bestial appearance, with hairy arms, legs and sideburns in both sexes, and stand about 5’6” tall. They are subject to a degree of prejudice because of their somewhat frightening appearance, and are most prevalent in the Eldeen Reaches. Their favoured class in Ranger.

Warforged

Warforged were created by House Cannith as intelligent, mass-produced soldiers. They have bodies composed of composite plating and a tough, fibrous wood-like material. They are generally the size and shape of a man, though variants exist. Most warforged are relatively young (having been manufactured in the last 30 years of the War) and have known little apart from conflict and taking orders. As such, many are out of their depth in peacetime, and their passive nature has led to their exploitation. (Warforged are living constructs, which results in a number of traits incuding that they don’t need to eat, breathe or sleep, are immune to poisons and so on. They also have built-in armour plating, and cannot wear armour, though they can take feats which can improve their plating.) Their favoured class in Fighter.

The Eberron setting is has room for some races which would otherwise be considered monsters to be treated credibly as PC races.

Goblin and hobgoblins

The Kingdom of Galifar was built upon the ruins of the Dhakaani Empire, a goblinoid hegemony which ruled southern Khorvaire for several millennia before its eventual collapse. As such, goblins, hobgoblins and bugbears are relatively common throughout the continent. Most cities have an underclass of goblins, and there is now the nation of Darguun, ruled by hobgoblins.

Orcs

Many orcs live in the Shadow Marches. Their religion is based upon a druidic tradition called the Gatekeepers. The orcish tribes of the Marches tend to more hospitable that the human tribes of the region, as many of those worship the Dragon Below, and insane veneration of evil and madness (see below).

I took your advice on the Ride and Tumble (unfortunately don't have THAT many skill points to play around with, given the character's low Intelligence). While I'm not really trying to be 'power-gamery' I do want this character to be very symbolic of the Valenar warrior spirit. I'm envisioning a very 'Klingon-esque' attitude with regards to warfare and honor. He won't be the type to sneak around or stab people in the back. Here is the updated character sheet.

Also, this is the avatar I have chosen for him.

(This is Fatespinner.)

You seem to be right that the weapon proficiency thing doesn't appear in the ECS. It does, however, appear in p81 of Races of Eberron - the proficiency in short bow, scimitar and double scimitar replaces the normal elf weapon proficiencies. However, the issue is moot, since you have proficiency anyway in the normal elf weapons by virtue of being a barbarian.

'Twould be fun to play a hobgoblin, but since we are starting on level 1, I guess they are out of reach. For now... Goblins suck too much - but how about an Orcish ranger, presumably from the Shadow Marches?

ive been mulling over playing either a halfling scout or a halfling cleric (either one is fine with me) let me know which one you guys would rather see. As for eberron experience i am currently involved in an eberron campaign, i also have a few eberron books. sry it took me so long to respond.

ive been mulling over playing either a halfling scout or a halfling cleric (either one is fine with me) let me know which one you guys would rather see.

If you take the cleric, I'll do the arcane. Then we are covered with muscle (barbarian&ranger), trap-springing (assuming one of those discussing it goes artificer), divine, and arcane. Not that they all /have/ to be covered, but it's certainly easier when they are.