DnD Next Playtest

Game Master Sai Ling

The Rules: The latest release of the D&D Next playtest.
The Adventure: The GDQ series of modules, as adapted by me.
The Point: Dungeon-crawling excitement, and the opportunity to see the playtest rules at work at higher levels (8+)

Characters:
Will start at 8th level.
Ability scores will be rolled by rolling 4d6 and dropping the lowest, and arranging them at will. If your total ability bonuses less than +4, you may take a mulligan and reroll.
All classes from the playtest will be available.
All races except Drow and Kender will be available.
Hit Points will be max at first level, you may roll or take the standard half+1 for 2nd through 8th levels.
Gear: Each player starts with 1000gp of mundane equipment, and 2 uncommon magic items.

Background: The adventures in question are dungeon-crawls, the campaign will be roleplay light. That said, characters with a bit of personality are more interesting than not. Rather than give an elaborate background that will be ignored, when you've finished your build, introduce your character in character, and roleplay with one another as you travel.

You're on the road together, travelling from the Kingdom of Sterich to the Jotuns, a range of mountains that lately has become a staging ground for giants to attack the human lands nearby. The first stronghold is the Steading of the Hill Giant Chief, and the king of Sterich has provided you with a map showing the location of the giant chief Nosnra's fortress. You have also been warned to expect an outside force that is pushing these giants – and others – to raid far beyond their usual range.

Sounds fun. I reckon I'll roll up a fighter.

4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 5) = 13
4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 6) = 16
4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 2) = 11
4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5, 2) = 14
4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 2, 2) = 13
4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 6) = 13

So that's 12, 13, 10, 12, 11, 12. Not great. I think I may have just about hit +4 total bonuses. Well, here's hoping I can make a decent character out of those...

Ok. Female Half Orc Monk of the Way of Open Hands. Worshipper of Luthic.

4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 1, 2) = 12 11
4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 4) = 14 13
4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 4, 4) = 19 15
4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3, 4) = 16 13
4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 5) = 18 16
4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 6) = 17 15

So: 11, 13, 15, 13, 16, 15 Feels like ADnD already… :)

{EDIT - oooh, can I be from the Pomarj or Horned Society?}

Consider me all in. Will decide my class for sure after I have rolled stats.

4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 5, 6) = 1716
4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 5) = 1915
4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 4) = 1311
4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 3) = 1311
4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 1) = 98
4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 3) = 1411

Hmm...both interesting, yet average. Fighter, Rogue, Mage, Fighter Rogue...so many options. Definitely not a Bard...stats probably are not good enough to make a Monk modeled after the Man of Steel...Paladin maybe? Argh...so hard to decide.

By the way, are we using feats?

We are.

4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5, 1) = 9 8
4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 1) = 12 11
4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 5) = 13 12
4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3, 2) = 12 11
4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 4) = 16 14
4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 1) = 9 8

Er is that a +1 total? I think I'll take the mulligan...
4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5, 5) = 13 12
4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 6) = 16 13
4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 6) = 20 16
4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3, 2) = 16 14
4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 3) = 11 10
4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 2) = 10 8

Ah that's better. I'll have a look over the packet and decide what to build :)

I'm going to make a Dwarven Cleric of War. Which gods are you using?

Greyhawk right? You would want Moradin or St Cuthbert I believe...

4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 2) = 16 14
4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 5, 1) = 14 13
4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 3, 5) = 18 15
4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 3) = 17 14
4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 1) = 16 15
4d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 1, 5) = 16 15

Hunh. Need to sleep on that

Take your pick

Clanggedin Silverbeard was the dwarf war god once upon a time, but I don't think Greyhawk will break if you use gods from Golarion, or Des Moines for that matter.

4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 3) = 16 ; 15(+2)
4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 3) = 13 ; 12(+1)
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 2) = 11 ; 10(+0)
4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1, 2) = 13 ; 10(+0)
4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 1, 5) = 18 ; 17(+3)
4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 5) = 14 ; 11(+0)

Hmm... Welp, Gnome Mage Illusionist it is. I'll try to have the character complete by Monday.

What we have so far...

Chris Parker = Fighter
Kemek = Female Half Orc Monk of the Way of Open Hands. Worshipper of Luthic. (yes, you can be from where ever you want)
Shadowven = TBD
Kip = Dwarven War Cleric
PirateDevon = sleep
Wicked_raygun = gnome illusionist

Im thinking duel wielding Fighter Rogue. Will have char up tonight with a brief background.

Yeah Silverbeard, wow blast from the past. Moradin is big muck for dwarves but Silverbeard totally has the war profile. Looking back over those gods is a blast from the.past, hilarious.

Bard.,not sure on race. Should have it later today.

I see that you have 6 people who have expressed interest, if you are willing to accept a 7th person, I would like to throw my virtual hat into the ring.

4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 6) = 14 ;13
4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1, 2) = 10 ;9
4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 2) = 10 ;9
4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 2) = 10 ;9
4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 6, 1) = 17 ;16
4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 5) = 15 ;12

Re the 2 magic items: are you going to be assigning those to us or do we choose them from the Magic Items PDF in the playtest materials (cackles evilly...)?

Hmmm...I think my original rolls only total +2, correct? Let's try another set:

4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 6, 5) = 19;17
4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 2) = 13;11
4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 3, 6) = 17;14
4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 3, 1) = 11;10
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 3, 6) = 17;14
4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 1) = 15;14

This is Shadoven's character. Just need to do gear, pick two replacement Tool Proficiencies, and possibly change one of my Magic Items.

I picked Guild Thief for my Background...but I get Thieves Cant from Rogue already...can we come up with a replacement Trait?

And Rogue gives me 2 bonus proficiencies at lvl 3, but I already have both of them. So by the normal rules, I believe I get to pick two different ones...any suggestions? Or could I take languages instead perhaps?

Any other things you need me to adjust or change?

If you decide I am picked, I will jump right into the Gameplay thread with introductions and such.

Also, still have to finish hitpoints and gear.

I'll try to get Luthia the Half-Orc Monk's alias up by tonight.

@ Logan. Go ahead and pick, but remember, only uncommon items. If it's a problem, I'll take them away.

@ Malaki. 1. Take a trait from another background that seems appropriate. 2. Languages can't hurt. Neither can other skills, really.

I need a DM call actually. By the rules, only skill profs can be swapped if there is overlap. I think I read somewhere tool profs can be too, but now I cant find it. My question is would you allow me to pick 2 languages, or a language and a skill, or do I need to pick up 2 more Tool profs? And if so...im at a loss what to pick lol. My skills already cover almost everything physical...maybe artisan tools?

I picked Slippers of Spider Climb and Hat of Disguise btw. Given the nature of Bounded Accuracy, I dont feel punished for not taking magical weapons or armor. Yay!

Ah, quite right.
Since they are tool proficiencies that aren't swapped out when there's an overlap, they're lost.
I might consider a different background in your shoes, since Guild Thief doesn't seem to offer much you don't get already.

Hmm...I'm starting to look over the rules now.

Total Bonus = +3

Initiating Mulligan...

Restarting rolls...

Total Bonus = +3

Initiating Mulligan...

Restarting rolls...

Total Bonus = 0

Initiating Mulligan...

Restarting rolls...

4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 1) = 14 - 1 = 13 (+1)
4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 6, 3) = 19 - 3 = 16 (+3)
4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 3) = 14 - 2 = 12 (+1)
4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 5) = 14 - 2 = 12 (+1)
4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 6) = 16 - 1 = 15 (+2)
4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6, 4) = 15 - 2 = 13 (+1)

Total Bonus = +9

Initiating Character Creation...

I was wondering how long it was going to take...my rolls were getting progressively worse...

most crunch is in the profile. still need to hammer out gear.

I picked Slippers of Spider Climb and Hat of Disguise btw. Given the nature of Bounded Accuracy, I dont feel punished for not taking magical weapons or armor. Yay!

What is Bounded Accuracy?

4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 5) = 18-3 15 (+2)
4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 1) = 11-1 10 (+0)
4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 1, 6) = 15-1 15 (+2)
4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 6) = 17-2 15 (+2)
4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 1, 1) = 13-1 12 (+1)
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 1) = 14-1 13 (+1)

+8

I'm looking at a Wood Elf Bounty Hunter Totem Warrior (Barbarian) of the Bear.

Bounded Accuracy

A reminded to those struggling to find 1000gp worth of mundane gear - healing potions are considered mundane gear.

Ok I think that's the crunch done :)

Oskar is a grizzled war veteran who after many lucky escapes in battle has dedicated his life to Clanggedin Silverbeard.

More or Less Finished:
Oskar (Dwarf War Cleric)
Olden (Human Bard)
Malaki (Human Fighter/Rogue)

Will the three of you please introduce yourselves in the discussion thread?

Still in the works:
Chris Parker = Fighter
Kemek = Female Half Orc Monk of the Way of Open Hands. Worshipper of Luthic. (yes, you can be from where ever you want)
Wicked_raygun = gnome illusionist
Captain Fremont = TBD
Logan1138 = TBD
GM Capt Wombat = TBD

Drow hat of disguise...given what little ive heard of this module...perfect

Fremond, Bounded Accuracy is one of the main design premises behind DnD Next. Basically, the idea is that the numbers never get to ridiculous, that even a lvl 1 monster could be a threat to a lvl 20 character, and even lvl 1 characters could take out the Red Dragon, because the math is flatter and the numbers are not so high.

Yeah debating wand of enemy detection vs bag.of holding...any thoughts Nerk?

Or both...you do get 2 after all.

Yeah I have magic studded leather (glamoured) so I only have one more choice ;p

Yea I really considered the armor. However, im going on the premise that hopefully magical weapons and armor would be something we may find later, and I dont wanna tie myself to specific gear yet. I tried to pick two flavorful utility items that even later on would be useful...plus I can walk on walls!

With no magic armor I have an AC 15, which is actually quite good when you realize most monsters have under a plus 5 to hit...I think the highest is like a 6 or so.

Changed my background to Bounty Hunter, to better fit the skills, and the premise that my character is an Assassin that tracks down his foes. Picked Common, Giant, Dwarven, and Drow{Elven?} as my languages.

I feel like Drow might end up almost being metagaming based upon my vague understanding of this adventure series. Any recommendations?

With the exception of figuring out how much Gold I have left, I believe my gear is done. Due you mind taking a look and making sure my sheet looks good? I believe it is but idk.

Ah, thanks. I was having trouble finding any information on the Bounded Accuracy in the document and that would explain why. It's an article about the new design.

Also, I am going with the Wood Elf Bounty Hunter Totem Warrior (Barbarian) of the Bear concept. I need to re-orientate myself with the greyhawk gods. It's been some time since I've looked at the D&D deities.

@ Malaki: The playtest lists no Drow language. In the races pdf and the bestiary, they speak common, elvish and undercommon, so I'm going to go with that. Character looks good otherwise.

These adventures introduced the drow way back when. They were the big bads, and they were BAD. Now, of course, everybody knows them and you hardly ever see an evil one in actual play anymore. So I'm sort of torn between saying to you guys as players "Let's all pretend we've never heard of drow," and just saying "In this game, drow are an enemy race."

@ Captain Fremont: I'm pretty much in favor of a loose canon. If a god helps you visualize who your character is, that's fine, but I'm not requiring it. This is going to be 90+1d10% dungeon crawl, so it's less important that you have a deep, rich backstory than that you have a recognizable personality and play nice.

Then loose cannon might be the best thing for him. As for magic items, I was looking at a +1 Greatsword and Gauntlets of Ogre Power.

Sorry for the delay DM. Still keen to get in on this, but if you get what you need before I get the alias together, go ahead.

I changed my languages to Common, Dwarven, Giant, Elvish

No rush, Kemek. I have 7 modules to convert and a goddess to render in next stats.

@ Captain Fremont. The power hitter thing is never really a bad choice. I don't think you still get 1&/2xStr modifier to damage with 2 handers, which is a bit disappointing, but still.

@DM Nerk - Is hard to play GDQ as originally intended if the Drow are ubiquitous. I would prefer the "new threat/never heard of drow" before concept rather than the alternative. But that's just me...