GM Barlowe's Curse of Strahd (Inactive)

Game Master R0B0GEISHA

Under raging storm clouds, the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as he turns his gaze down toward the village of Barovia. Far below, yet not beyond his keen eyesight, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd’s face forms the barest hint of a smile as his dark plan unfolds. He knew they were coming, and he knows why they came — all according to his plan. A lightning flash rips through the darkness, but Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind fills the midnight air. The master of Castle Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. And you are invited.

Character Creation: The following are allowed options for character creation/building.

1. The Players Handbook - 5th Edition
2. All option from the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide except for any race (or racial variant) that grants flight.
3. The Curse of Strahd Player Companion

We will be using the standard point buy from the rulebook for character creation. You must select one of the backgrounds from the available from the above books (soldier, criminal, etc).

No character may be of any evil alignment.

Character Creation (Roleplay):

A complete character application will include all of the following

1. The character background - Not to be confused with the background selection in the PHB, this is a written history of the character. All backgrounds will require the character to be a member of a newly formed adventuring company. The relationships of your characters will be determined after selection.

2. All characters will have an Ideal, Bond and Flaw as per normal D&D 5e character generation. The lists in the PHB are guides, you may invent your own.

3. You receive the normal starting equipment as per your class and background selected. Maximum hitpoints at 1st level.

4. Not related to your character, but please include your timezone in your app.

5. An alias for your character.

Anything beyond this may help, but is not required.

Expectations on Posting: Ability to post a minimum of one time every weekday is required.

Player expectations: I am looking players who understand several simple and fundamental things about DnD or roleplaying games in general. If you do not agree with my view on these issues, this is not the game for you.

1. Don't be a jerk.

2. Don't stall the game because your character needs special attention.

3. Try to interact with your fellow players as much as possible. It will keep people involved and increase participation.

I'll be taking 4-5 players, depending on the quality of submissions. Recruitment ends at midnight EST on 4/14. Thanks and good luck to everybody that submits!

Any chance we can use fan content? I'd love the opportunity to use a Warlord, otherwise I'll be working on a Fighter.

Any chance we can use fan content? I'd love the opportunity to use a Warlord, otherwise I'll be working on a Fighter.

Published content from the above sources only, please.

Dot, working on character.

I am thinking Paladin or Wizard, or perhaps a Bladesinger who multiclasses the two!

Here is my submission, Trisdeyr Silverfang, a Half-Elf Paladin (Haunted One). Going to go Oath of Vengeance when possible.

Hello GM Barlowe! It is very nice to meet you. My name is Simon. I just started Play By Post recently, and it is really fun. I only have one game going on right now. If it helps, I have been able to consistently post to that one every day. If I were able to join this game, I would also do my very best to post every day. Also, if I am able to join, I will not join any others until one or both current games are done. I think it's a good idea to set that limit for myself, especially since I'm new. My timezone is Pacific Time - UTC-8.

I have played both Pathfinder and D&D 5e a lot at my local game store, so I tentatively say I'm pretty familiar with the rules. The D&D was mainly Forgotten Realms. I've read a lot of cool things about Ravenloft though. The books I have are The Player's Handbook and Sword Coast Adventurer Guide. I've never GMed, so I don't have Dungeon Master's Guide or Monster Manual (But my friend sometimes lets me borrow his). I also do not have any of the Ravenloft books except the one you linked. I hope that is still enough to play!

This alias is my formal character application, Arcana Cleric Felix Helmont. All his information is in his profile. I did my super best to write a nice backstory and choose a fitting background. I tried to incorporate as many elements as I could from the current information, but if I've taken too many liberties, I can definitely rewrite everything. Please let me know if there is anything I need to change. His role will hopefully be party healer. I'm really excited to see what everyone else makes, and I hope I can join the team. Thank you very much! :)

Edit: Fixed up the profile to be more open with the other adventurers. I am really excited to (again, hopefully!) establish connections with everyone. I really like making friends.

I am interested -- I am working on a halfling ranger.

Hello!

One question... I mean, two questions:

Are we starting in Faerun, or already in Ravenloft?

And, are we using Variant Humans, or the base 6x+1 ones?

I will work on a Sorcerer starting now :)

I debating on whether I want to play or not, but I would for sure like to DM if there is enough interest for two games. I obviously won't post anything about my game until after this game gets going - but I wanted to say I plan on running a game as well.

Will we be getting adventures league credit for this, or is this just for fun?

Hi there, I'll post a wood elf ranger by day's end. Can't wait.

Hello!

One question... I mean, two questions:

Are we starting in Faerun, or already in Ravenloft?

And, are we using Variant Humans, or the base 6x+1 ones?

I will work on a Sorcerer starting now :)

The game will begin in Faerûn but you will not be there long.

And variant humans are allowed.

Will we be getting adventures league credit for this, or is this just for fun?

It is not my intent to run this as part of the Adventurer's League.

JKassand here. I present to you Larcha Deer-of-the-Forest, a wood elf ranger. Looking forward to playing.

hiiamtom here with Wellby Waterbun. Finishing background now. CST for me.

Paizo ate my background, I'll have to rewrite it. Done.

Forgot to mention I am in the Central Time Zone (UTC - 6:00).

I'm very interested in giving this a go, but have only small amounts of knowledge with DnD 5th Edition and most of that has come from watching Critical Role.

I live in England, so my timezone is GMT+1 and I don't own the Players Handbook, only the DMG.

Would you be able to help me create a character based on a concept, telling me the only details I need about the character from the offset or would that be too much work for you?

I'd be tempted to play an Eladrin (they're in the DMG, oddly enough) but am open to many options.

I have extensive knowledge of Pathfinder but have no idea on how to make a character under 5th Edition. I am familiar with the Advantage and Disadvantage system though, again from watching Critical Role.

It's ok if the answer's no as I feel it may be too much work for you.

I'm willing to help character building

Cool, I'm interested.
@Apollo
May I recommend the Dungeons and Dragons Basic rules. it doesn't provide rules for all the classes and races, but it provides rules for the cleric, fighter, wizard, rogue, and in terms of races; halfling, human, elf, dwarf.

@Apollo: I'm free almost all weekend. If you want/need any help I'm more than happy to help out.

Thanks guys, that's really good of you!

I'll take a read of this and likely have a concept for you tomorrow.

I usually lean towards Marshall Classes, but have had some real fun playing Clerics in Pathfinder before, though if I'm not familiar with the ruleset at this point in time, I'm thinking Rogue or Fighter are probably the simplest to go with.

I'll look at the DND Rules link now.

Thanks a lot for the help everyone! :)

4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 6, 2) = 19 = 17
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 3, 4) = 15 = 12
4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 1, 3) = 12 = 11
4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 5) = 10 = 9
4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 2) = 11 = 10
4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 2, 2) = 13 = 11

Wow, I'm really good at something!

I'm still reading the rules right now, but there is a lot to take in. Thankfully there are quite a few similarities between Fifth and Pathfinder, so I'm halfway there at least.

I've also read that subraces give the stat increase in addition to the normal one you get from your parent race, so that's quite nice.

@Apollo There's also the official SRD here

It doesn't contain 100% of the rules but might be enough for a beginner.

I like to see what the ranomizer thinks:

trinket, from elemental evil: 1d100 ⇒ 88 A small jewelry box made from the shell of a turtle.
Background: 1d13 ⇒ 5 Folk Hero
Gender, male:odd, female:even: 1d100 ⇒ 17 Male
Class: 1d12 ⇒ 5 Fighter
Race: 1d9 ⇒ 9 Tiefling

Interesting...Crunch and fluff forthcoming

@Apollo

We are using the point buy method of generating statistics on pg 13 of the Player's Handbook

Ah ok, so no rolls.

That's the 27 points to expend rule right? It's in this Basic Rules doc Legoguy kindly linked me to. :)

Edit:

Trinket: 1d100 ⇒ 90
Trinket: 1d100 ⇒ 60
Trinket: 1d100 ⇒ 92

Seeing which one I like the most out of three rolls.

Correct

Feel free to send me a PM (can't speak for anyone else) so we don't end up clogging the thread.

This is a helpful point buy calculator

GM Barlowe - Would you allow Eladrin from the DMG? It's a Subrace of Elf, keeps the same weapon proficiency as Elves, adds +1 int as per High Elf and its third and only other ability is it allows Misty Step to be used once between short and long rests.

As you'd have seen I'm new to this, but I'm liking the idea of an Eladrin Fighter.

Thanks to Legoguy I can make a character, but the only book I own is the DMG, so I'm limited to character creation from the Basic Rules PDF available for free on the WotC website. I know this makes my options a lot more limited in comparison to everyone else, so I'm just working with the info I have available to me. :)

I have decided I will be making an Eldarin (if allowed) or High Elf Oath of Ancients Paladin that may multiclass into Bladesinger Wizard (if allowed).

Apollo, you might want to check out the srd, it's not as complete as Pathfinder's, but it has more content than the basic rules. Here.

Thankyou.

I'm trying not to clog up the thread here, but so far this is what I have (if allowed).

Stats aren't modified by Class or Race yet:

Str: 15
Dex: 12
Con: 14
Int: 11
Wis: 10
Cha: 10

Harrowing Event: You were born under a dark star. You can feel it watching you, coldly and distantly. Sometimes it beckons you in the dead of night.
Personality Traits: I refuse to become a victim, and I will not allow others to be victimized.
Ideals: I try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. (Good).
Bonds: Removed to not spoil things if I make it into the game.
Flaws: Removed to not spoil things if I make it into the game.

Eladrin/High Elf Fighter. Trying not to have my heart set on Eladrin in case it's not allowed, but on the plus side this is teaching me the rules in a super fast timeframe.

Here is my Fighter submission. Time Zone is UTC -8:00

Feedback/commentary/criticism is welcome and appreciated.

Okay, I'm actually pretty much done with the build at least.

I'm not finalising anything until I know if Eladrin are allowed in as an Elven Subrace, but if not I'll go High Elf.

The only final issue I have is that the flavour text of the Feature for Haunted One works miles better for how I see people approaching my character, where as the Noble background is true to his old lifestyle, so I don't really know what to do there.

Aside from the Feature text of Haunted One and the Harrowing Encounter I'm using to make the character specifically viable for this campaign, everything else in Noble suits him more.

I've got a pretty wicked back story in mind for him.

Edit: Noble it is. People can react to my character based on how he comes across in his backstory. Minor problem solved. :)

Man, I've learned a lot in one night. It's 7.22am here, so I'm going to sleep for a bit now.

Dotting late to the party, but here.

Vasilios Teras, Half-Elf Draconic Sorcerer reporting. Will work on the background and crunch during the weekend (all we be included in the profile).

This is Sach's submission;
Geth [surname not picked] Cleric of Light ready and waiting!

Going to create a dwarf barbarian. When he reaches level 3 he will do Path of the Battlerager.

can I use gold instead of starting equipment?

GM Barlowe - Would you allow Eladrin from the DMG? It's a Subrace of Elf, keeps the same weapon proficiency as Elves, adds +1 int as per High Elf and its third and only other ability is it allows Misty Step to be used once between short and long rests.

I missed them in the DMG. Eladrin and aasimar are allowed.

can I use gold instead of starting equipment?

Is this so your character can start with spiked armor? If so, then yes. Just trade out an equivalent amount of gear.

I'm not too sure it'll matter because I was thinking along the same lines but if we can't, we could always just sell the gear for half coin (if selling gives half like pathfinder). I know the only two things I want for my character is a Longsword and likely Chain Mail plus the background gear you're given.

Edit. Ninja'd by the GM.

Excellent. Thanks Barlowe, I'm glad I asked now!

Are anu Unearthed Arcana options allowed?

Ok, I'll get a Greatsword(50 gp), and a Light Crossbow(25 gp) for starting equipment (from class), trade those out for spiked armor.
I'll use the pouch containing 10 gp(from background) to get a Maul.

Are anu Unearthed Arcana options allowed?

What do you have in mind?

Tunnel Fighter fighting style.

Tunnel Fighter fighting style.

Looks fine.

ULTRAGEEK here! (remember me, posted in the interest check thread) :)
Done my character! My time zone is UTC-05:00 Eastern Time.

legoguy4492 here!! Dwarf barbarian.
UTC-05:00 Eastern time.

Interested. Am I to assume we're starting at 1st level? I didn't see that specified anywhere.

Also, will combat (or other parts of the game) rely on the use of maps?

** spoiler omitted **...

That looks fine. As far as gaming proficiencies, the only games listed in the PHB are dice, dragonchess, playing cards, and Three-Dragon Ante.

Interested. Am I to assume we're starting at 1st level? I didn't see that specified anywhere.

Also, will combat (or other parts of the game) rely on the use of maps?

Oops, I forgot to mention that. Characters should be 1st level. And yes, we'll be using maps for combat.

As we are using maps, what map tool will we be using?