Hi folks, welcome to the new campaign, the Dales and Beyond. I'm very keen to get started, but firstly, we need to work out a few things, such as:
Though I'll offer suggestions for the first two points, in the end those things will be up to you. The last one is largely my domain. To summarise:
So please, check in with your aliases and start discussing or asking questions about the above topics.
A few expectations...
First, for the good of the game I'll ask you all to try to post at least once a day, in general. If you can't, let me know and I can keep things moving, no problem.
Second, I intend this to be a long-running campaign, however, this isn't my first spin around the block, and I know that sometimes, for various reasons, people want or need to bail out. That's okay, it happens. But please drop me a line if you can't play anymore, don't just disappear into the ether! Also, I'd ask that everyone at least commit to the first adventure of the game. Over the last few days I have converted to 5e the adventure Beneath the Twisted Tower from the 2e Forgotten Realms Campaign Box. If you've played or run it already, you have two options: tell me and I'll work something else out; or don't tell me, and do your best to play like you don't know! After this adventure, I will dangle some options in front of the party, possibly to do with some of your backstories, and we'll go from there. If any of you aren't enjoying the game or feel like you can't keep up, that would be a good time to mention that to me.
All in all, communication is the key. Let me know if you have any problems with anything. If it's about rules or one of my decisions, post it here rather than the gameplay thread, or message me directly if you'd rather.
Looking forward to playing, and thank you for the invitation!!
No worries Jack :)
Now, I had the thought that perhaps you could hail from Voonlar, which is north of Shadowdale. It's nominally independent, but it's leader is a member of the Zhentarim, and works directly for the good of Zhentil Keep. There would be plenty of crime and nasty stuff going on there, so it suits your backstory pretty well.
Just a suggestion, so if you have an idea you prefer, go with that. I'll get a map up on the Campaign Info page soon.
Hi Nilelane, thanks for joining us :) Yep, it is indeed 1367.
Map of the region is up on the Campaign Info page.
No, go for it, so long as we keep that player/character knowledge separate, read up as much as you like :) You might find that the nearby forest of Cormanthor still has communities of elves, which may give you some ideas for tweaking the backstory.
Is the Shadowdale adventure a Time of Troubles module?
Nice. Haven't ever read any of those modules. Books, yes...
So Nilelane, I have a couple of other characters in mind who may have found you going a bit nuts in the woods (whether in Shadowdale or Cormanthor or wherever). My idea was that they are escorting you, hopefully to see Elminster, as he may be able to help you. Again, just a very loose, rough idea, and if you think of anything you like better, go with that. But gives you some kind of relationship with two other PCs straight off the bat.
Last idea sounds great. In the meantime, before Jack finds her, perhaps she has already joined up with another pair (I'm thinking Beerg the half-orc paladin and Sorin the half-elf monk) who have taken her under their wing. Then Jack turns up (perhaps with Kraz?), hilarity ensues, a pride of griffons eat everyone's horses, boom we have a party with no mounts and little cash right near Shadowdale.
Or not. Just spitballing.
Checking in. I’ll do some research and check stuff out tomorrow, but I’m open to suggestions. Just out of curiosity what is the makeup of this group that’s been invited?
Great to have you on board Sorin, and no hurry with backstory tweaks, I'm not quite as fully prepared for this as I am for the Waterdeep campaign. The party is (hopefully) as follows:
• Nilelane - NG high elf illusionist
• Beerg - NG half-orc paladin
• Jack of Shadows - N human rogue
• Kraz Thadoom - CG half-orc barbarian
• Sorin Greystone - NG half-elf monk
No cleric, but a paladin at least. I'll bear that in mind.
No pressure Berg. Lol.
My second level will probably be cleric but not another level of it til 7th.
Paladin checking in. I'm happy to modify my back story or whatever easily to fit in. perhaps I'm a half orc from the a result of raid by the orc tribe in kings forest and have spent some time growing up in the monastery in Arabel? have since ventured away as per backstory?
No pressure Berg. Lol.
My second level will probably be cleric but not another level of it til 7th.
HAHA, tell me about.
Sorry Im late folks, been busy at work today. Let me modify my backstory and read what everyone else has posted.
Gm can you please start the camp thread for dotting? Makes it easier to get here :).
EDIT: Switched his starting area to the Desertmouth Mountains and his run away to Shadowdale instead, pretty easy. He still ran threw the fighting ranks and used new contacts to join the current group.
Reading Jack's background I can see how he and Kraz could have been involved. He would have needed a manager of sorts and with superior intellect Jack could hve easily done this. Kraz could have also been a little "muscle" for the rouge if needed.
No stress Kraz, I'm kinda half-ready to go, but you guys definitely get leeway for me dragging you out of the North and into the Dales :) And yes, I'll get that up now.
So if anyone wants any suggestions about how to alter their backstory, just let me know. Let's get the discussion going about who knows who and how, as that might play into your retweaked backstories. Once that's all sorted, we'll be ready to go!
Oh, and ScrappyG, you should probably get an alias up for Beerg, with a handsome profile pic to go with it :)
I edited my post above with some leads GM.
Yep, that all makes sense Kraz.
So does anyone want to put the hand up to take a protector role with Nilelane? Again, I'm thinking Beerg or Sorin.
Having Kaz as a little muscle works for me as well...but I also picture Jack as escaping the clutches of the Zhents and having to flee the town as he probably is not much of a 'joiner' and would resent them trying to recruit him. Perhaps he stole something from one of the 'deputies' just to show is displeasure, then scampered as soon as any retaliation was going to come his way. He probably uses poor Kraz as 'dumb' muscle to help get him out of tight spots, and would never ever consider him a partner...even though it is very evident that he is, and that Jack is quite protective of "HIS orc", as he sometimes calls Kraz.
How does that sound?
Jack might also be interested in knowing Sorin. He maybe saw he fighting some thugs one day and was intrigued by her fighting ability. This could be a very casual sort of thing, where Jack kinda follows her around asking questions and trying to get pointers about unarmed fighting...as Jack might think of taking some Monk levels in the future!!
While not very bright and kind of hard to get along with Kraz is very loyal once you befriend him.
"My friend Jack is the smarts.. Kraz knows how to hit things hard. My friend Jack knows the rest."
"Yeah Kraz...you strong. Now just hold on until I tell you to 'smash'...last time it took 10 minutes to bring the guy back to consciousness to interrogate him!"
”I respect and admire the loyalty you bestow upon Jack. It’s good to have friends that will watch your back. Be careful that the loyalty is returned though.”
Sorin would be fine to be Nilelane’s protector, tieing our backstory together could be interesting. Perhaps I was found traveling alone on the road and a band of Zhents attempted to kidnap me. While Nilelane was with the group returning from a job and saw her chance. She helps me to defeat the Zhents solidifying our relationship.
She would also be fine with being friendly with Jack as long as he has not been too dastardly in front of her. Maybe he is somehow tied in with the same incident.
@Nilelane, did you decide on being on the run from the Zhentarim rather than working off your debt? I think it's a bit cooler that way. Perhaps Jack and Kraz helped you flee, as Jack was getting out of Dodge as well. Thereafter, you met Sorin, as Sorin has suggested.
@Jack I like the idea of you bailing while they were putting the pressure on you to join. What do you think you might have stolen? Happy for you to have something... like perhaps a strange amulet, or a fine looking dagger?
@Beerg, you could be the last to join... You were travelling to Shadowdale yourself, when you came upon the party trying to beat off a small pride of griffons, who were attempting to kill and take the party's horses. You charged into the fray to help them perhaps, and helped tip the tide? You could have also healed some of their wounds. That would make everyone pretty appreciative, although a paladin of Torm might make Jack somewhat nervous...
If anyone wants to change any of the above, go right ahead. If everyone's cool with that to go on, we could probably get started...?
@GM hewy, All works in well with me. Happy to just have come alone to the groups 'aid'.
"Is that pack in the distant in trouble? Beerg charges forward surround by griffons and injured!, be off you ravenous bird creatures!... Now, let me see those wounds !"
Just to let you all know, I'm super new at this PBP RPG stuff. I haven't played more than a couple of pages before my first effort ended. So... bear with me. :)
Sweet, so I think we're about ready to start! Just a reminder, if you want to expand your back story or make up details on the spot during play, just go for it. Also, if you think you can use a different ability score as the base bonus for a skill, say Str instead of Cha for Intimidate, or Dex for Athletics, describe it that way and ask. I'm happy to play a bit loose with that kind of stuff if you have good ideas and roleplay it well. It's not Pathfinder folks!
I did not notice Beerg was a fellow follower of Torm. That should help as well. I am a little grey when it comes to the law aspect but the loyalty part of Torm’s portfolio is Sorin’s focal point.
As a fellow follower Beerg and Sorin could know each other as well. I was never specific where my temple was located. Perhaps Beerg has visited.
Great, so Beerg rushes down to help you guys, then you both notice that you're well acquainted with each other. That works nicely. Where would you want your temple located? We can basically stick it anywhere :)
Also, a player in the Waterdeep game posted this handy combat guide for beginner players. Beerg, and anyone else who wants a look, it's filled with rock-solid base tactics for effective combat for parties.
Getting a first post together now :)
I think im pretty set on background, but there is one thing Id like to request. I randomly rolled on the trinket table and got.
An empty wine bottle bearing a pretty label that says, “The Wizard of Wines Winery, Red Dragon Crush, 331422-W"
Seeing as he is a recovering alcholic I figured he stole the bottle at some point and drank it not knowing what it was or if it was valuable. I would like to request at some point it to be brought up. Not asking for a side quest or anything, but maybe just it's significance. Perhaps someone is pissed that it was stolen lol..
No worries, love it :)
@Everyone: if there are things you'd like to put up for considerations for side quests or development like Kraz's stolen wine bottle, just shout out. Sometimes GMs can get caught up in their own amazing story arc and forget to pay attention to that stuff!
Okay, gameplay is live. Apologies for the massive post, I won't be that long-winded all the time, just at the start of new "chapters". Feel free to do whatever :)
Here's a link to the Waterdeep campaign gameplay page, if anyone wants to follow the adventures of your sister party. You may well be meeting up with them at some point, we'll see how both games go. You'll notice they got a much shorter intro post than you did. Shadowdale's just more pretty, I think...
Just a question about where we are heading. As far as backstory goes do we still need a reason to want to go to Waterdeep?
No, not at all. Collectively there's enough room/mystery in your backstories for me to lead you there if that's necessary.
Ok what would be a good location that my father may have been heading? A closer city of some sort? A merchant caravan going through the dales could be heading north to Zheng territory or south to Cormyr or Sembia. I can’t think of any major hubs in the dalelands. I’m sure I’m forgetting something though.
It could have even been Shadowdale... But then again, we could say Tilverton, Arabel, or Suzail? Or Ashabenford, the capital of Mistledale, on the road from Cormyr to Hillsfar?
I think Shadowdale itself as a first clue is good, or Tilverton, but up to you.
I am thinking the Jack stole a fine looking dagger that he now keeps at his belt. It is quite ornate and "flashy" which Jack likes, as it makes him feel important and rich!
Yup, I know that quite well...but it was sooo pretty that Jack just could not let it go...having admired (ie. coveted) it since he saw the deputy wearing it!! Also, he knew it would tweak the fellow's nose to lose it!!