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So I have this ancient artifact called "TurboGrafx 16". With it is a fun little licensed AD&D game called The Order of the Griffon. It recently occurred to me that converting it into a 5E campaign could be lots of fun.
The nature of the campaign:
Good amount of old-school dungeon crawls, but with particular objectives in mind; you're not just there to kill things and take their stuff. Bit of overland travel as well, and you'll interact with some important NPCs. However, it won't be the sort of campaign where you're frequently at high-society events. So mostly dungeons, wilderness, and some in-town NPC interaction. There will be exceptions of course, but that's the bulk of it.
Also be advised that, in the process of conversion, I'll be making up monster stats and simplifying dungeon maps and modifying NPC interactions to help make the general feel of the campaign translate well into both the system and the medium.
Character creation:
First of all, the premise of the campaign is that there are rumors of a vampire in the land who is generally stirring up trouble, and a local bigwig hires a group of adventurers to investigate. Make the type of character who would take that job. You don't have to be a square-jawed heroic stereotype (though you can be if you want), but you need some kind of motivation to be on this adventure.
There will be a variety of enemies encountered, including both monsters and humanoids. If it matters, probably the single most common type of enemy would be undead, but there's plenty else too, including more than one chance to fight a dragon.
For stats, if you like you can do the 4d6-drop-lowest thing (using the forum dice roller), and build your character from there; or if you prefer a concept-first method, pick a set of stats that looks about in line with what a rolled array might look like and just build a character you like. Don't have to mess with an exact point-buy or anything, just make a character that I would want to include in the party. :)
For races, anything in the PHB is fine, including the variant human. As you might guess, this also means feats are available.
You can use either the listed starting equipment for your class, or the purchase method (using average gold for your class), whichever you prefer.
Start at 1st level.
I'm sure I've forgotten something relevant, so feel free to ask questions. I look forward to seeing everyone's character submissions!
So, I've been trying to get into a 5e game over on GitP without much success. Therefore, I must ask on this one!
Would a Great Old One Tome warlock (half-elf, probably, or maybe a variant human, haven't decided) fit in "theme" of this game? And be of any use?
Really want to get in on my first 5E game with one of those, lol.
And if not a Warlock of Cthulhu, I'll probably roll an Infernal Bladelock.
I can't think of any reason off the top of my head why a warlock wouldn't work; is there a particular concern you have?
I've recently started up PBPing again and am really enjoying your other game, so let me try out for this one too. :)
I like rolling in order and then choosing class, so:
=17
=12
=15
=13
=14
=14
Pretty awesome. I'm thinking of a human fighter - I'd be keen to try out the mounted combat rules for 5E, so perhaps a noble knightish type.
Well, haven't played 5e yet, and haven't played a warlock in any edition, so. Mainly just was concerned over effectiveness for the adventure, know what I mean?
Let's see what I can roll up, shall we?
= 14
= 12
= 10
= 12
= 10
= 15 (aw!)
Hmm... Yeah, I think I can work warlock with this, just can't decide on half-elf or variant human.
11
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12
12
16
9
I'm thinking a hobbit (Whoops I mean halfling) rogue might be just around the corner. I was thinking eventual arcane trickster, but not having two descent stats might put the hold on that. We'll see at 3rd level.
@Steve Geddes: I feel like I should point out that there will be many portions of the campaign that wouldn't be very mount-friendly, so playing a mounted character could become an exercise in frustration.
@Artemis Moonstar: In other games I've been in, the warlock has seemed like a very solid class. (Frankly, 5E has a pretty high optimization floor, so any class can do well without requiring too much system mastery. One of the perks of the system, IMO.)
Good to know. I thought 5E looked fairly streamlined, as it were. I'll have to stat out this Warlock later today. I've always loved seekers of knowledge, both forbidden and benign. GoO Tome warlocks just scream that concept at me, which is why I've been obsessed with Outer Planes/Great Old One warlocks since I read 'em in 4E.
15
13
17
12
12
7
Interesting... I'll come back to this.
I've an elven fighter in mind for this.
4d6 = 15
4d6 = 3
4d6 = 14
4d6 = 13
4d6 = 11
4d6 = 15Erm... oops?
#Winning!
You do 3 Int, and I'll be your smarter older brother with 7 Int.
Wow. That's the first time I've seen a 3 in a 4d6DL array.
With it is a fun little licensed AD&D game called The Order of the Griffon.
Fun fact: I just checked, and saw that it's just plain old "D&D", not AD&D.
11
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11
11
17
12
who maybe a wizard or sorcerer
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I think I'll go for an arguably generic, yet appealing trope. This character won't have a tragic past, great powers, or the sort. He's naught but man doing what he can to better the world. Most of his down time will be spent on his trade (either glassblowing/making or smithing.. Not sure yet), and playing his instrument of choice (a flute most likely). Both learned from his parents.
Greatly considering a half-orc, whos parents (a half-orc father, and a half- elf, mother) raised him as an idealist like them.
Classes will be one of the following, not sure yet, -
Fighter
Rogue
Bard
Sorcerer
I would like to use your alternative option for stats, how does the following look?
17
15
14
12
11
10
I would like to use your alternative option for stats, how does the following look?
17
15
14
12
11
10
It's less about the list of stats and more about the final character. Once I select a party from the pool of applicants, I might ask people to tweak stats up or down a little to get closer to each other, so the main thing right now is to get the stats into a place that they help paint a picture of the character. :)
Actually, I think I will go bard, mostly, I'll start him as a fighter I think, and then move into bard at later levels. And alternating between bard and fighter for about 5 levels, with maybe a level of rogue thrown in.
It sounds like you're trying to cobble together what the valor bard accomplishes all on its own. I mean, you're welcome to do the multiclass thing if you want, but it seems like unnecessary hoop-jumping, unless there's something I'm missing.
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hmmm i will get to this later, debating between, a fey warlock with 2-3 fighter levels, or cleric /paladin.
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I can work with this thinking Gnome Wizard or Ilusionist
Will mull over some concepts in case I decide to throw a hat in.
@Steve Geddes: I feel like I should point out that there will be many portions of the campaign that wouldn't be very mount-friendly, so playing a mounted character could become an exercise in frustration.
Cheers. I'll keep that in mind, but I'm not sure it will matter too much. I think I can come up with a 5E fighter who fights mounted by choice but will be fine otherwise. I appreciate the warning though..
Cool, just wanted to be sure you were making informed decisions. :)
GM Jiggy here is Zook Sparlegem the amazing Wizard for your consideration.
Turns out, I have a 5E character ready to go.
Garnult is, well you've met him. He is a grumpy dwarf stereotype....
@Zook: Yikes, that profile is hard to read. A little organization/readability would go a long way toward getting you picked.
@Garnult: Just a heads-up, a character I've already seen in another campaign is not likely to get picked.
@Everyone else: Having your character profiles ready by the end of the week would be ideal.
Is there some reason for that? I reuse all my profiles, but its your game.
I believe the reason could be safely labeled as "personal preference". :)
GM Jiggy,
I put in spoiler tags so you can find what you need. That should be helpful let me know if there anything else I can do. Also is there any back story needed for this?
Also is there any back story needed for this?
There's no particular constraints on character backstories, other than what I described in the OP (such as needing to be someone that would be hired by a city official to look into some rumors).
I don't think there's any "campaign backstory" that you need to be familiar with in order to understand the campaign.
If you're looking for cities or points of interest to incorporate into your backstory, the starting location is called Radlebb Keep. Other cities in the region include Specularum and Kelvin. All three are walled cities, if it matters. The region is temperate, with grass-and-trees wilderness, some dense forests, a smallish mountain range, and a river (or possibly an oblong sea, or channel; it's hard to tell scale in the source game).
Does that answer your question?
GM Jiggy,
I put in spoiler tags so you can find what you need. That should be helpful let me know if there anything else I can do.
Including spell descriptions is a must; otherwise, if I need to know what something does, I have to either wait until I get home and check my book, or ask and wait for a response. Either way halts the game.
Also, some judicious use of bolding and white space (i.e., a blank line between paragraphs/sections) would do wonders for readability.
Here are some examples of my own characters (just to illustrate what I mean; you don't have to copy exactly):
Perry
Arannis
Helen
Larissa
Given that the EK has Spells Known rather than preparing from a spellbook, I see no reason that wouldn't work.
I have completed my fun little halfling rogue, and shall post Podo Bumbleroot up either later tonight or tomorrow. I had hoped to head towards Arcane Trickster, but my 12 INT might slow that down... Might be fun anyway, as stats don't matter as much in 5E
Interesting idea, and I'd love to get in on more 5E games. Let me give the dice a roll here...
= 11
= 13
= 14
= 11
= 13
= 13
Hmm. Definitely thinking a human, given all the odd numbers there. Now the question is simply what to go with...
Here's a draft of what I'm going for.
First thing that jumps out at me is that your avatar looks like it was drawn in MSPaint. :/
First thing that jumps out at me is that your avatar looks like it was drawn in MSPaint. :/
I believe that is accurate. Will that be an issue moving forward?
It's not actually that big of a deal, I just wanted an excuse to give him crap since he's my brother.
Though I confess I am honestly curious why that particular avatar was chosen, since there are at least a few other masked options out there.
I just wanted an excuse to give him crap since he's my brother.
You don't know who I am. I'm wearing a mask.
Though I confess I am honestly curious why that particular avatar was chosen, since there are at least a few other masked options out there.
I honestly didn't put that much time into avatar selection. If you have a different masked avatar you prefer, tell me the categories. I have no objection.
You've attracted a great selection of players here Jiggy - I can only imagine this will be another top notch game. I wish I could join (I am on the mend, but not out of the woods as they say).
But if I were to try and join I would have a questions
What kind of posting rate are you going to shoot for?
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What kind of posting rate are you going to shoot for?
Funny you should ask.
I was recently (as in, this morning) pondering the fact that I like 5e's "Inspiration" mechanic, but find it cumbersome as a GM to keep track of everyone's traits/ideals/bonds/flaws so I can award it appropriately (and as a player, I feel weird asking for it, and I imagine I'm not alone in that).
Then, in another thread (not related directly to PbP), I saw some people mention "houserules" where players get some minor boon for the session (like max damage on one attack or something) if they're on time or otherwise on top of things.
So I was thinking, what if I used Inspiration to incentivize good posting habits? Like, maybe every day that someone posts at least one good post, that person gets a "point" (and maybe bonus points for exceptional awesomeness, or for other logistical helpfulness), and when somebody gets X points, they gain Inspiration and reset their point counter.
This could have a potential side effect of people feeling free to actually use their Inspiration since they know more is coming (and can see how close they are), rather than perpetually sitting on it "just in case".
So to actually answer your question, the baseline ideal would be 1/day.
:)
I honestly didn't put that much time into avatar selection. If you have a different masked avatar you prefer, tell me the categories. I have no objection.
Though I confess I am honestly curious why that particular avatar was chosen, since there are at least a few other masked options out there.
I don't think there's a category for it, but I'm pretty sure more than one of them are elves, and then there's the whole Razmir thing too. But the one you're using is fine, if you prefer it. (Just don't use TOZ's avatar.)
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As for my own character, his background I will keep short. Mind you long enough to cover the feel of who he is, but I like to leave alot open and ready for IC growth/storytelling.
Arden Rydell was, and is, an oddity among oddities. His very birth is strange, coming from a union of a half-elf and a half-orc. His parents were themselves odd, as most Idealists are usually considered what's more his father, the half-orc Ragnar had spent most of his early life as an "apprentice" to an orc shaman. Yet he stood now as a polar opposite of all one would expect, rarely lifting a blade and even becoming a master glassblower and jeweler. While his mother Arial, who was more standard with 'elvish' ways held a want of danger beyond even most humans. And when she was not playing her flute, she was on guard duty in the town she finally settled in. (Of course she was soon given rank of captian, and few raiders, orc, goblin, or human, would dare trifle with her and her "wind biters".) Perhaps this is why the town grew to become more accepting of half-orc, and even more accepting of half-elves, though more likely the frontier town had dealt with half-orc often, and grown accustomed to them. Either way the odd couple managed to make a home, and with little prejudice problems in the end. (Though Ragnar still speaks of how the men had been shocked the beautiful half elf was his bride to be, to several of his now friends chagrin). Eventually they would have a son, who clearly was of orc blood, yet also as he aged showed a slight grace, and whose tusks never grew much larger than fangs, slightly protruding from his bottom lip. He was however, exposed to prejudice via many other children in the town his age, and perhaps the first meaningful lesson that his father taught Arden was from this.
Let them talk, and mock, and job son, let them curse, and laugh when they think you gone. Just keep to what you know is Right, do not speak of their wrongness, prove the falsity of their words by your actions. Do not give proof to their speak.
Was what he told him, after Arden had gotten into a fight with another child, and he took it to heart, and eventually, he was, mostly, welcomed.
His father also taught him, or at least, attempted to, his trade, glass making. While Arden tried, and became rather competent it seemed that the something that made the trade an art to his father, would continue to elude his grasp. Not long after his training in the trade, his mother deemed him ready, and needing, to learn to use a blade. From 10-15 Arden would go through a rigourous training, not with a blade, but merely to strengthen him physically. It wasn't until his 16th year that he would learn his first bladestroke. And as expected, he seemed a natural with it. Grudgingly his father allowed him to join the guard at age 17, on the condition he continue to practice his glass making. Arden stayed in the guard for a year, before deciding that he longed to travel and see the world, however before he could leave an ogre, and several scores of goblins attempted to raid the still rather small frontier city. However, Arden's mother was away, and after the 2nd in command of the guard (or militia) fell trying to combat the ogre, the others fell into disarray, and seemed like they would all be overrun ( for no more than 25 men, not counting the few already felled were fighting) however, on the spur of an instant Arden drew the blade his father had forged for him, and went to fight the orge alone, knowing he would likely fall, as the man who had been 2nd in command was without doubt a better swordsman. Yet he had decided that this town was perhaps worth dieing for, and fought with a will that defied all. Perhaps it was luck, or fate that let his blow strike true, and fell the ogre, or maybe a bit of both mixed with good training, either way
He felled the orge, and soon after the goblins, seeing their 'ultimate smasher' dead fled in a frenzy. Soon after he left to find his own way, something he felt had been missing, up until his decision to fight the ogre. He would forge his own destiny, and if he had to fight for it, and his ideals, whether they were thought right or wrong.
I'll probably flesh out some spots, likely with more speech, and maybe add a bit more as well as a personality/appearance section once I get set fully on the class he will be.
Had Podo all finished, then Chrome shut down, and I lost all my changes. I've started updating him again, and hope to finish this evening. Meantime here is the placeholder.
I'll work on the background more, but basically he worked for a real schyster... POS, but didn't realize it until the man was arrested. He served as his Assistant (son), and learned how to play the part, but while his master had a dark heart, Podo was basically good... he just can't keep himself from launching into his Charlatan role every now and then.
Uh... Your profile looks a lot more like a ranger than a rogue, and somehow has a starting feat despite not being a human. Are you in the process of retooling that alias from a different character or something?
Uh... Your profile looks a lot more like a ranger than a rogue, and somehow has a starting feat despite not being a human. Are you in the process of retooling that alias from a different character or something?
Yes. I had already completely updated him when Chrome crashed. I have to quit for a bit, but didn't want to lose what I'd already changed. Just Cut & pasted another 5E character for the format.
Ahhhh... Okay, that explains it then. :)