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Captured by the drow! You wouldn’t wish this fate upon anyone, yet here you are — locked in a dark cave, the cold, heavy weight of metal tight around your throat and wrists.
You are not alone. Other prisoners are trapped in here with you, in an underground outpost far from the light of the sun. Your captors include a cruel drow priestess who calls herself Mistress Ilvara of House Mizzrym. Over the past several days, you’ve met her several times, robed in silken garments and flanked by two male drow, one of whom has a mass of scars along one side of his face and neck.
Mistress Ilvara likes to impress her will with scourge in hand and remind you that your life now belongs to her. “Accept your fate, learn to obey, and you may survive.” Her words echo in your memory, even as you plot your escape.
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This is the first half of the 5e Out of the Abyss adventure. You will be hunted across the Underdark as you try to find a way back to the surface. Along the way, a bunch of crazy stuff happens that might drive your character insane, Alice in Wonderland style. Finally, there is a certain wilderness survival element to the game.
I'm not one of those drow experts and it doesn't matter if you aren't either. I'm attracted to the bizarre landscape/creatures and expect it will go many months.
Character Creation:
Crunch for a level 1 using official 5e sources (no UA). All races welcome. You'll reach 6 or 7 by the end. If you have a UA thing that's in Xanathar's but dont have a copy yet, I can fill you in.
You may use standard array or 27 point buy.
Hp max 1st, will be rolled later.
Alignment open but need to be a group player.
Roll a d10 that represents how many days you have already been captive.
A brief in character description including where your character last slept (before being captured).
Wealth = 0 gp. Dont bother with inventory. Instead, roll a d20 for what you have scavenged. Add it to the d10 roll above and consult the table in spoiler. Note you'll not have anything like a spellbook or focus to start with, but still have prepared spells from before capture.
Result Item
2–9 —
10–12 A gold coin
13–15 A living spider the size of a tarantula
16–18 A 5-foot-long strand of silk rope
19–21 A flawed carnelian gemstone worth 10 gp
22–24 A rusted iron bar that can be used as a club
25–27 A flint shard that can be used as a dagger
28–30 A hand crossbow bolt coated with drow poison
Other Stuff:
Looking for 4-6.
One post per day minimum. During combat, you lose actions if >24 hours lapses between posts.
I'm not a hardass and want an entertaining time for all at all times.
I use Google Slides for maps and info, which I have heard is more PC friendly than phone friendly.
Recruitment open a week or until enough good submissions. Thanks!
I will be posting a character asap...
I may be interested in playing a wizard.
I may be ending some games soon, and if so I'll gladly join.
This is Filios, and I submit Carric for consideration.
I am super interested, got to play the beginning bit of this but didn't really have much time to enjoy it before I had to move. Dotting for interest!
Thanks for asking bzl109, I forgot that required clarification. That is the normal point allotment for 5e. It works a bit different than in PF:
Score-Cost
8-----0
9-----1
10----2
11----3
12----4
13----5
14----7
15----9
You can't buy a higher stat than 15. You get 27 points. As an example, the standard array (15,14,13,12,10,8) is purchasable with 27 point buy. This is before racial mods.
Will you be accepting fairly new players?
Also I assume we build using pathfinder rules?
New players sure. But no, this isn't Pathfinder rules its 5e D&D rules.
Carric, thanks for the interest. I noticed you've only spent 23/27 on your base array (12,14,12,10,12,10) before wood elf +2 dex and +1 wis. Also, I didn't see favored enemy listed. When you choose humanoids, you pick 2 specific races such as (Bugbear, Hobgoblin) or (Elf, Dwarf).
Theres an online 5e pt buy calculator here.
Hey GM,
I'm interested as well but I am also 'new' to 5e. I used to play D&D 3.5 but have been playing PF for a while now (currently play and GM games on these boards).
However, your posting rate in your other games is something that attracts me and I am always ready to learn new (revised) rules.
Would you be willing to help out with character creation and/or provide advice on builds and things of that nature? I'm not interested in min/maxing but I also want to be able to pull my weight in the party.
I am interested in playing a warlock, not sure what race yet.
Thanks for hosting,
Game on!
Fabian, no problem I am somewhat new to 5e as well. I just started DMing 5e on the boards earlier this summer, and these boards and my kid are all the playing I do.
Do you have any specific questions about the warlock? I imagine the spell system might be confusing coming from PF (it was for me).
Totally in. Need to build a PC.
Alright. Wood elf, monk, outlander incoming tomorrow
The Natural Explorer ability makes the Ranger a solid class with Advantage to initiative, the Advantage when attacking before the target has acted, and the lack of a necessity to subcategorize terrain. I will either rebuild him in accordance with PHB and Xanathar's Guide, or submit a rogue. Thanks!
Carric, sorry but yes I wanted official sources only. I mentioned "no UA" in original post. But just out of curiosity, what about the UA version do you prefer?
This is Filios, I submit Vic Lofliss, Male Wood Elf Rogue for consideration.
This is Bookrat. I'm used XGE to roll up some randomness for the PC, and got a Dwarven Explorer. Still a wizard as previously stated.
So based on his background, can I use one of the backgrounds presented in the appendix of OotA? Specifically, the Underdark Experience.
Yeah thanks bookrat, forgot to mention that. Those are open to all...in fact I should probably post them here.
A player can choose one of the following features to replace the feature normally granted by his or her character’s background.
Optional Feature: Deep Delver
You have a knack for making your way in the deep places of the world. You can recall the twists and turns of passageways and tunnels such that you can always retrace your steps underground. You’re also well acquainted with foraging and survival in the Underdark, and can determine when sources of food and water are safe to consume. You can always find sufficient food and water for yourself and up to five other people in the Underdark, as long as sustenance is available in the area.
Optional Feature: Underdark Experience
You are no casual visitor to the Underdark, but instead have spent considerable time there learning its ways. You are familiar with the various races, civilizations, and settlements of the Underdark, as well as its major routes for travel. If you fail an Intelligence check to recall some piece of Underdark lore, you know a source you can consult for the answer unless the DM rules that the lore is unknown.
Substitute Bonds
This table provides alternative bonds that characters can have instead of the bonds from their backgrounds.
d10 Bond
1 You were once lost in the Underdark, and a group of kuo-toa helped you find your way out. You learned that there are kindly folk even among that otherwise mad race, and remain indebted to them for their aid.
2 You once had the opportunity to meet a circle of myconids — the mushroom folk of the Underdark. They offered you shelter and a chance to “meld” using their telepathic spores, and you have yearned ever since to repeat that experience.
3 One of your best friends in your youth was Morista Malkin, a shield dwarf and member of the Emerald Enclave. Though you haven’t seen her in years, you heard she found her way to the reclaimed dwarf hold of Gauntlgrym.
4 You once worked for Davra Jassur, a Zhentarim “troubleshooter” recruiting promising new talent for the Black Network. She helped you get your start as an adventurer, and you owe her for that.
5 You have long had a curious recurring dream about visiting a vaulted stone library in the depths of the Underdark, and becoming lost in the endless lore it holds.
6 You studied with a deep gnome alchemist and miner named Kazook Pickshine, who saved your life once when a magical experiment went awry. Last you heard, his family controlled some of the largest mines in the deep gnome settlement of Blingdenstone.
7 What little you know about the Underdark, you learned from living and fighting alongside the Feldrun clan of dwarves. You swore an honor debt to the clan before they joined the forces retaking Gauntlgrym and established themselves there.
8 Years ago, a vicious noble named Ghazrim DuLoc was implicated in the death of someone you cared about. The crime was covered up, though, and DuLoc disappeared. Rumor has it the Zhentarim aided his escape, but you’ve sworn to find him one day.
9 Years ago, you lost people you loved in a raid by creatures from the Underdark. They disappeared without a trace, either slain or taken into the depths, and you’ve always wondered whether they might still be alive and held as prisoners.
10 You know the dwarf hold of Gauntlgrym well, having fought alongside the dwarves to help reclaim it. King Bruenor Battlehammer congratulated you on your valor, and you know the price the dwarves paid in blood to regain their home.
Vic chooses the Zhent Bond...added to sheet and background updated to correspond.
Vic, crunch looks awesome except for gear. You have 0 gp and a pair of underpants. Then roll d10 + d20 for item from table in first post.
Ok, here is my submission (Daniel Stewart)
Days in Captivity:
Scavenge: +3 = 20 (A flawed carnelian gemstone worth 10 gp)
I will fill out the alias more and add the background soon.
Question GM!
I don't have Xanathar's Guide, so I don't know if they took the Revised Ranger and made it into a standard thing. If they did, I'm particularly interested in that for sure. If not, no worries. I'm considering a Dwarf or maybe something odder, like a Lizardfolk.
Lidras here.
“What little you know about the Underdark, you learned from living and fighting alongside the Feldrun clan of dwarves. You swore an honor debt to the clan before they joined the forces retaking Gauntlgrym and established themselves there. ”
Mountain Dwarf Barbarian
Str 16 (7 points)
Dex 14 (7 points)
Con 16 (7 points)
Int 10 (2 points)
Wis 10 (2 points)
Cha 10 (2 points)
Total 27 points
Will come up with Background soon
I started playing this before, but would like to play it again. If you don't mind me having some foreknowledge, I'll dot.
Days in underdark...
Scavenged...
5' strand of silk rope.
yesterday
"he ain't found sh!t"
Wood elf, Monk, Outlander
Hwy, Daniel...good to see you here!
SUBMISSIONS
* Victor "Vic" Lofliss – Wood Elf Rogue Criminal
* Galenus – Mountain Dwarf Wizard Explorer
* Arbin – Ghostwise Halfling Monk
* Khaz Dourblade – Mountain Dwarf Barbarian Feldun Honor Debt
* Edlethron – Wood Elf Monk Outlander
DOTS
* Werecaster
* Fabian Benavente
* KingHotTrash
* Vrog Skyreaver
I'm already in too many PbP games (Sorry, I'll work on getting caught up later today!) BUT I did want to drop in and highly recommend GM Infinity. Definitely great at keeping things moving better than most any GM I've played with in these boards.
Also, I'm running this adventure for my home game, and it's a fun one! You all will enjoy it.
Fabian, no problem I am somewhat new to 5e as well. I just started DMing 5e on the boards earlier this summer, and these boards and my kid are all the playing I do.
Do you have any specific questions about the warlock? I imagine the spell system might be confusing coming from PF (it was for me).
Funny because my kids and these boards is all the gaming I do these days.
I started looking at things and it's not that different so I should be OK. There's even a quick build to help out newbies.
Let me work on a good background/story for this guy and then I'll fill in the crunch.
I'm thinking of a half-elf, do half-drow exist and would they be appropriate for this campaign?
Maybe a child of love to turn the tables on an old cliche who is trying to find his way because he's of course shunned by everyone. He then gets a calling from 'something dark' and that is where he starts to work on his pact, probably a'Great Old One' and he's trying to discern the meaning of his calling and what this 'ancient one' wants him to do. It could lead to good RPing opportunities.
Please let us know 48 hours before you intend to close recruitment so we can submit in time and not get caught unaware.
Thanks again,
Fabian
@Jubal: Carric is no longer a submission. Vic replaced him.
KingHotTrash, they didn't pick up the revised ranger. Some of the new subclasses might have similar features though. For example, the Gloom Stalker gets an init bonus equal to wis mod.
Vrog, I don't mind foreknowledge, you're a mature player and besides these things are meant to be replayed.
Edlethron, well done with the Spaceballs reference. ;)
Jubal, thanks for list.
Ken, thanks and understandable. Much appreciate the notes you PMed and of course the 5e Beyond access.
How will magic item identification work? Standard short rest, or identify spell?
Galenus, I think the short rest identify is a little weird, but I'm sticking with it for the time being. Identify spell can give you other details attunement can't; in other words I will always try to make it more valuable. Attunement triggers curses and identify doesn't, also.
Okay, I'm going to make a warlock. I should have it posted today.
Vic last fell asleep outside the entrance to the Underdark as pointed out by the Zhentarim operative, Davra Jassur.
Fabian, missed your post earlier for some reason. Half-drow is fine, you replace Skill Versatility with Drow Magic. I will let you know 48 hours before closing. I may close a bit earlier to get started during Thanksgiving break, which I totally forgot was this week.
Galenus is complete.
A few questions regarding his missing spellbook:
Will he have the chance to recreate a spellbook while traveling in the Underdark? Perhaps by making pages out of giant fungus, and writing with blood ink from certain creatures?
Also, note that a book isn't needed to replenish spell slots or cast cantrips, but it is needed to change which spells are prepared, cast ritual spells, and write in new spells.
Galenus, you will have a chance to recreate a spellbook. You might also find your old book, it just depends on how things play out.
Galenus: “arves to help reclaim it. King Bruenor Battlehammer congratulated you on your valor, and you know the price the dwarves paid in blood to regain their home.”
Khaz: “What little you know about the Underdark, you learned from living and fighting alongside the Feldrun clan of dwarves. You swore an honor debt to the clan before they joined the forces retaking Gauntlgrym and established themselves there.”
Both are mountain dwarves. Been in captivity for a different amount of time, but I’d say that there is a good chance that the two characters would know each other.
Quite possibly. Or at the very least they have an immediate bond with each other.
"Yeah, I fought at Gauntlgrym."
"No shit? So did I! Fourth regiment, 3rd battalion. You?"
"2nd Reg. 8th battalion. We were the assault group coming in from the Underdark."
"Holy shit, man. I think we fought beside you. We came in on the left flank and ended up reinforcing the Underdark front."
"F!*$, man. Thank god for you. We wouldn't have survived without those reinforcements."
Galenus, you will have a chance to recreate a spellbook. You might also find your old book, it just depends on how things play out.
Yeah, I know. I've DM'd this campaign to completion. Even posted the entire campaign here on Paizo. :)
I was more asking because I know of DMs who absolutely do not allow a wizard to make a spellbook on the go. And if we didn't find the equipment, that means I'd be on ultra hard mode until we got to Graklstugh of Blingdenstone.
Quite possibly. Or at the very least they have an immediate bond with each other.
"Yeah, I fought at Gauntlgrym."
"No s#!%? So did I! Fourth regiment, 3rd battalion. You?"
"2nd Reg. 8th battalion. We were the assault group coming in from the Underdark."
"Holy s@&#, man. I think we fought beside you. We came in on the left flank and ended up reinforcing the Underdark front."
"F*$&, man. Thank god for you. We wouldn't have survived without those reinforcements."
Alright, it’s canon now. Khaz was with the 2nd and 8th. And that conversation happened. It was Galenus and the reinforcements which saved the assault, and the wizard’s magic in that engagement which earned him the eye of Breunor Battlehammer. :)
Alright, it’s canon now. Khaz was with the 2nd and 8th. And that conversation happened. It was Galenus and the reinforcements which saved the assault, and the wizard’s magic in that engagement which earned him the eye of Breunor Battlehammer. :)
Agreed!
I love it.
Although I'm uncertain simply casting magic would be enough. Magic is fairly common. It'd have to be a specific act of valour that occured irrespective of magic.
We'll have to come up with something.
As for that conversation - I've had conversations similar to that in real life. Although I've never been in a joint combat mission like that, I did serve in two war zones, and once ran into a guy who was at the same outpost at the same time as I was during a suicide bomber attack.
He was with the tank division that was parked just on the other side of the barracks where I slept. His unit and my unit shared a bunch of pictures, and it turned out that we actually have photos of each other, even though we never met.
It means that the 2nd regiment has at least 8 battalions within it (not necessarily all active), and you were in the 8th. You can break it down further. Say, the 8th battalion has 4 companies, and each had two platoons. So you could say, "8th Battalion, 3rd Company, 1st Platoon" instead.
For example, I was in the 1st Battalion, 33rd Field Artillery. Designated as 1-33FA.
You were in field artillery? What was you’re mos? I’m in the guard and am only an E4. Haven’t had the opportunity to go abroad (volunteered for Germany, and had a false alarm recently). Am a 13D. Though my recruiter tried to trick me into being a fister. Nowhere near your experience.
Ha! That's awesome! I went in as a 13P, but my DD214 says 13M and 13P. Which works, I did both while I was in.
Served four and a half years from 01-05; stationed out of Germany, 6 month tour in Kosovo and year tour in Iraq.
13M = Operator for the MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System)
13P = Fire Direction Specialist for the MLRS
Although, technically, I barely did any of that while I was in. Spent the vast majority of it as mechanised infantry. In Kosovo, we were QRF, and I was a HMMWV driver. In Iraq, I was a gunner sitting in the hatch. And the rest of the time, I was either training to go to one of those places or repairing the trucks after we wrecked them in training. :)
Even spent a few months in northern Germany evaluating unit readiness for other units going to Iraq.
Didn't spend a single full month at my duty station until right before I got out.
You know what's really funny? I never served with anyone who I went to basic with until about my last month in, where I met the guy who in basic stuck up his hand when the drill sergeant asked "who wants to go home?". He had re-upped and I ran into him right as I was getting out.
Casiel Strider
LG Aasimar Warlock 1
STR 10
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 12
WIS 12
CHA 16
HP 10
AC 11
Proficiency Bonus +2
Initiative +1
Saves: Str: 0; Dex: +1; Con: +2; Int: +1; Wis: +3; Cha: +5
Speed 30'
Spell Attack: +5
Spell DC: 13
Skills: Arcana +3, Athletics +2, Dungeoneering +3, History +3
Class Features: Otherworldly Patron (Celestial; Healing Light: 2d6, Bonus Action; 60' range)
Languages: Common, Celestial, Undercommon, Elven
0: Light
Sacred Flame(dex save or take 1d8 radiant; ignores cover)
Thunderclap (5' radius around me; 1d6 thunder; Con save)
Create Bonfire (concentration, up to a minute; dex save or take 1d8 fire damage; have to make save if they end their turn in it or move into it; 5' cube)
1: Cure Wounds, Guiding Bolt (4d6 radiant damage and next attack against target has advantage)
Background: Acolyte of Lathander (replaced skills, traded tool proficiencies with langauges: Undercommon and Elven; Taking Underdark Experience as my feature)
Personality Trait: I represent my God in all that I say or do.
Ideal: I fulfill my duty regardless of the cost to myself.
Bond: I was selected by my Archangel father for this mission; I will not fail him nor my deity.
Flaw: I can be too trusting of others who profess their wish to be redeemed.
Equipment: A living spider the size of a tarantula
Unlike many others, Casiel was approached by his father to undertake a mission to the Underdark to guide a group of slaves to safety. After being instructed in the cultures of the underdark, he was teleported directly into the path of the slaver caravan. When they arrived, he surrendered without a fight and was added to the slave train. He has in no way resisted his captors, but has instead made himself useful by offering his healing magic to anyone who needs it.
When the chance for the slaves to escape comes, he will be ready to do his part to help them escape, as he was instructed by his father, the Archangel Rathiel.
A gold coin if I have done this correct?
Kriv The Exile
Lawful Neutral Blue Dragonborn
Str 16
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 10
Cha 11
HP 12
Ac 12
Proficiency Bonus +2
Initiative +2
Saves: Str+ 5, Dex +2, Con +2, Int 0, Wis 0, Cha 0
Speed 30
Skills: Acrobatics +4, Athletics +5, Perception +2, Slight of Hand +2, Stealth +2, Survival +2
Class Skill:
Fighting Style: Two-Weapon Fighting
Second Wind.
Proficient Skills: Acrobatics, Perception for fighter, Athletics, Survival for outlander.
Draconic Ancestry:Blue Lightning 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Breath Weapon:You can use your action to exhale destructive energy. Your draconic ancestry determines the size, shape, and damage type of the exhalation.
When you use your breath weapon, each creature in the area of the exhalation must make a saving throw, the type of which is determined by your draconic ancestry. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level.
After you use your breath weapon, you can’t use it again until you complete a short or Long Rest.
Damage Resistance: You have Resistance to the damage type associated with your draconic ancestry
Languages:Common, Draconic, Dwarvish.
Background: Outlander
Origin: Bounty Hunter
Feature: Wanderer, Excellent memory for geography and maps, I can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements and other features around you.
Can find food and fresh water for me and up to 5 other people per day as long as the land other berries, small game and other such things.
Personality Trait: Bitter'd due to judgement people make of me over the color of my scales instead of myself. (going of people being judging of my Color of scale aka linking it to blue dragons who are not the most well reputable of drakes.)
Ideal: To prove that he is more then just the color of his scales.
Bond: I will protect those who can see past my scales at all cost.
Flaw: My pride is my biggest flaw and I will fight any who would seek it tarnish it.
Equipment: A gold Coin......the first of my horde! mwahaha!
Bereft of a home or a tribe, Kriv took to wandering the land taking up the work as a bounty hunter, taking work wherever he could find it.
It was on one such job he was captured during the night by a Drow raiding band returning from a raid on a nearby settlement, half asleep and exhausted from a long day, Kriv was unable to put up much of a fight.
If anyone has any suggestions on changes or anything I need to fix, feel free to tell me since as mentioned, I am still fairly new.