Hey gang, I'm not new to D&D or PbP but I am, however, new to PbP hosted on this site. I'd like to take it out for a test drive.
I'd like to keep it relatively simple on this first outing and go with a West Marches-style campaign. A West Marches-style game typically starts in a central hub from which adventurers can depart on expeditions into uncharted territory. This central hub serves as a safe zone where players can gather information, plan their expeditions, and interact with NPCs.
Looking for a few brave souls to round out an an adventuring group (and be patient with me as I grok the format of this website). At the moment, I'd like to keep it simple and restrict the books used for CharGen to PHB only.
Characters will begin at first level and may be created using any method contained within the PHB (that is, the standard array, 27-point buy, or roll a set of attributes six using 4d6 drop the lowest).
Although this tale will not take place in the Forgotten Realms, for simplicity's sake, I plan on using the Forgotten Realms pantheon.
Without further ado ...
West Haven Tales
Nestled at the edge of a dense forest and overlooking a tranquil river, West Haven is a small frontier town built around a sturdy stone keep. The town serves as a safe haven for adventurers venturing into the untamed wilderness that surrounds it. Despite its modest size, West Haven boasts a diverse population of traders, mercenaries, scholars, and other colorful characters drawn to the opportunities and mysteries of the frontier.
I'd love to try this, if you will have me. I have never played PbP. But, I have been playing for about a decade and have DM'd quite a few campaigns now. I like how this feels like text based games from my youth. And, while I'm not exactly sure how to jump in...here is what I am offering for your world.
Calim will be celebrating the loss of his beloved Mara, the mother of his three children, tomorrow. Her loss has drained the color from this town. His days have become methodical and tired.
This restlessness and sudden feeling of being trapped in his station in West Haven, has infiltrated his dreams. In his younger years, he visited wild places. He has squared up against monsters of lore, fought his way in and out of trouble and has the scars to prove it. But those days, their memories and his trophies of valor (beyond the creaks in his body) have been all but lost. His dreams now are of a cage forged by his own two hands. He builds it out of fear to protect himself from an unknown danger beyond. But, it is also slowly trapping him from the world...the dangerous world he once loved.
His daughter is clearly poised to take over the Smithy. Elena's work has begun to surpass his in intricacy and creativity. Don't be mistaken, Calim can still swing a hammer methodically, powerfully and reliably. His name is synonymous with quality in West Haven. But, there is no zeal in it. No spark. And no spark, for a smithy, is a problem.
His eldest son was lost in childbirth, remembered by a tattoo of a songbird in flight across his broad shoulders. He thought this would be the end for his Mara, way back then...the way she grieved. That sorrow had grabbed him, as a young man, and forced him to settle down. Her grief was sobering and washed away all of his thoughts of adventure. He felt a surge of honor in caring for her and building a family. There he would find his pride.
But recently, even the family was breaking apart. His youngest, Darius, was clearing his own path. He and his young bride were expecting their first soon. Their recent move had been another unmooring. He had no home here anymore. At least not at the Anvil. He needs to look up and notice that his life has lost any meaning. He needs to find meaning.
What would it look like to break free again though? What would it feel like to test his spirit and honor? What would it feel like to wield a sword, to deserve his honor, to make a mark again?
With each clang of metal on metal, he ponders these questions. He ponders and plans.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Stat Roll
Ability scores: 101211121215
Race/Class/Background
Human-Paladin-Noble(Knight Variant)
Character Dossier
Alignment: L/N Name: Dorn Tallstag Ethnicity: Tethyrian Equipment: Rapier & Shield, Dagger, Priests Pack, Chain Mail & Holy Symbol, Playing cards, A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Serves Tyr, the God of Justice Noble of the Tallstag family, third son of Lord Tallstag, Delivered up to the service of the church, as is customary for all third-born children of Tethyrian culture. upon the death of his oldest brother, Dorn was moved at the loss felt by his mother. Although never met his oldest brother, Dorn made a covenant to take on the burden of the responsibilities of the first-born son: to serve in battle. he discussed this with the elders of the church of Tyr and after much council, was ordained and tasked with the mission of joining an unaffiliated company west of his homeland that has set out to discover a new world. To assist him, comes 3 of his retainers: (DM's choice)
Personality traits:
•No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I am a cut above the unwashed masses.
•Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful)
•My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering.
•I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me.
Motive: to work alongside the exploring company to serve his end alone: Expand the known land in the name of his family and his God Tyr. Character arch: may potentially learn the nuance of battle, loss, and diversity as he experiences a new world and unfamiliar PCs. (the world actually doesn't revolve around him)
Hi DM! Im just now getting involved in PBP, but I think its a fun and passive way to play and am excited for joining one. I'm a DM too, so I literally never play 😂 but, I'm super laid back, and love a good story. This Character I just typed up can be as flexible as you need it to be. It's tough when you don't know the entire setting but, if you need to change anything around or add anything at all, I'm here for it. Looking forward to this!
I play on discord and I'm a forever DM for the most part. Looking for a more passive style of play as well and also never used the tools for PBP here. Would love to be a player in your campaign! I'll get a character together asap if you'll have me
Kilrakas was a young dragonborn living the life of a good little dragon. His family are all good aligned and stout followers of Bahamut. They believed that the platinum dragon Bahamut was once a gold dragon and achieved platinum through virtue. The entire clan worship him and seek to follow in his footsteps. When Kilrakas was younger he was tricked into servitude of a fiend and became a warlock. He is tormented by this fiend every night in his dreams. He left his clan in search of a way to rid himself of the fiend and return to the teachings of Bahamut. He is stuck in a catch 22 though, because he has to use his evil warlock powers to survive, but the more he uses them, the more evil he becomes. The fiend's grip gets stronger every time he calls on his powers.
Rin was an orphan surviving on the streets when she picked the pocket of the wrong person. Or maybe it was the right person. In any case, when the wizard whose pocket she picked caught up with her, instead of punishing her, he hired her as a maid. While being a maid was a lot of work, it came with 3 meals a day and a warm place to sleep, MUCH better than life on the streets. Best of all, the wizard let her read his magic books, and would even give her pointers from time to time. She started using magic to help with her work as a maid. When she became an adult the Wizard sent her on her way, telling her that she was the best apprentice he ever had, but she was a full fledged wizard now, and it was time for him to start looking for a new apprentice. She still thinks herself as a maid that can do magic rather than a wizard, and she can cook & clean as well as casting spells. She can even pick locks, a skill she picked up on the streets.
After leaving he masters tower, she might make a good retainer for a noble. Although she presents as a maid, she IS a full wizard and can fight as such. Also she's a very good cook, whose meals are good enough to improve healing from a short rest or provide a few temp HP as a snack.
Ahhhh PBP. Love this idea. I've played some PBP but can always learn more. Seems like a good place to try a character I'm really excited about!
Name: Simeon Goodfellow
Race: Halfling
Class: Wizard (future illusion)
Background: Entertainer
Alignment (Detailed): Chaotic neutral. Simeon is really just along for a ride to have fun. He loves to entertain, and hopes to build fame for himself, but he's not the type of guy to run into a building to save a stranger.
Character Synop: Simeon grew up on the streets. His mom died when he was young, and his dad was a charlatan with an affinity for magic. He taught Simeon what he knew about magic, but he couldn't satisfy the young halflings interest in magic. A local librarian took a liking to simeon, showed him to some basic magic books. Simeon would then spend hours practicing magic, finding a particular interest in illusory magic. He then used that knowledge to gain some renown as a street performer, utilizing a deck of cards and his magic to create enticing shows. However, he really wanted more than some mild renown, so decided to set off adventuring, in the hopes of acquiring more fame.
Note: an interesting quirk about Simeon is his spell book. It's actually a deck of cards that he inscribes his spells on. Each time he casts a spell he uses the cards in some way to actually cast the spell, the specifics of which depends on the spell.
Very keen to ensure she’s not the one being played
Inherently good but life has roughened her edges
Tends to rationalize harm for personal gain to those she considers powerful or those who intentionally inflict harm themselves
Likes to whittle wood, like father taught her; she will often sell her creations when in large cities
She feels alone in this life and is looking for connection. She is anxious to become the author of her own destiny
Human ancestry
She has a human ancestor. Probably within the last five generations.
At the beginning of the campaign, she is unaware of this ancestry
It was a closely held secret kept by her paternal grandmother.
She will learn the secret at some point during the campaign.
She's a little bit taller than an average dwarf, due to her human ancestry
She has some abilities and traits that reveal themselves in subtle ways due to her human ancestry. Ultimately, this will make sense, once her ancestry becomes clear.
Family Tragedy
When she was aged 31, a band of human marauders, driven by hatred and chaos, invaded her family’s peaceful village.
Her family was murdered, and she was initially left for dead. She was ultimately taken with the nomadic human marauders.
What she does not know is that her father was not killed, but barely escaped with his life. Each is unaware that the other is alive.
Life in "Capitivity"
She was forced into years of servitude with a human family
The family called her “Blue,” partially to mock her red hair but also reflect her sadness.
Initially, she was kept as a house servant, but after a few years proved her worth as a thief and con artist. Eventually she was allowed to earn money for the family by working the streets as a con artist/thief..
Over time, she was accepted into the family as a daughter. Although she formed familial bonds with some members of the group, she remained conflicted and guarded.
She learned survival skills as a coping mechanism for her grief (e.g. pickpocketing).
Early on in her apprenticeship on the streets, she became friendly with a merchant named Lyntramir, who caught her stealing from his shop.
Over time, the two formed an organic father-daughter that became an important influence in her life.
He had been estranged from his own family for many years and cherished this relationship and was very protective of Blue.
He was a rogue wizard who secretly studied and practiced the arcane arts. His mother was also a rogue wizard.
He introduced Blue to arcana after observing her natural aptitude for it. However, he was troubled by her tendency to use it for her own gain rather than devotion to scholarship and art.
Lyntramir is the younger brother of Brynel Amastacia, who has not seen him in decades and assumes he is dead.
After 29 years, she either escaped the village or was allowed to leave freely to begin her own adventuring life.
False Identity
She has developed a fully-formed fake identity to aid in her travels and allow her to hide behind a facade of her making. It includes forged official papers, established acquaintances, a physical disguise, and drastically altered speech patterns. Blue has superior skills in forging documents to fit whatever current need dictates.
Name: Furin Naugsel (friends call him “Foo”); in an ancient elvish language his name means “hidden dwarf child”
Gender/Race: Male, Hill Dwarf
Personality: Flamboyant, charming, and manipulative; “knows” everyone and “often visits” whatever city he happens to be in
Profession: Merchant; describes himself as a “Purveyor of Potent Potions, Bejeweled Baubles, and Exotic Eccentricities”. Owns a chain of shops across Solamnia called “Foo’s Continental Trade Goods.”
Hey gang, I'm not new to D&D or PbP but I am, however, new to PbP hosted on this site. I'd like to take it out for a test drive.
I'd like to keep it relatively simple on this first outing and go with a West Marches-style campaign. A West Marches-style game typically starts in a central hub from which adventurers can depart on expeditions into uncharted territory. This central hub serves as a safe zone where players can gather information, plan their expeditions, and interact with NPCs.
Looking for a few brave souls to round out an an adventuring group (and be patient with me as I grok the format of this website). At the moment, I'd like to keep it simple and restrict the books used for CharGen to PHB only.
Characters will begin at first level and may be created using any method contained within the PHB (that is, the standard array, 27-point buy, or roll a set of attributes six using 4d6 drop the lowest).
Although this tale will not take place in the Forgotten Realms, for simplicity's sake, I plan on using the Forgotten Realms pantheon.
Without further ado ...
West Haven Tales
Nestled at the edge of a dense forest and overlooking a tranquil river, West Haven is a small frontier town built around a sturdy stone keep. The town serves as a safe haven for adventurers venturing into the untamed wilderness that surrounds it. Despite its modest size, West Haven boasts a diverse population of traders, mercenaries, scholars, and other colorful characters drawn to the opportunities and mysteries of the frontier.
I'd love to try this, if you will have me. I have never played PbP. But, I have been playing for about a decade and have DM'd quite a few campaigns now. I like how this feels like text based games from my youth. And, while I'm not exactly sure how to jump in...here is what I am offering for your world.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/120091849
Calim Terock
Human Fighter
Proprietor, Haven's Anvil
Calim will be celebrating the loss of his beloved Mara, the mother of his three children, tomorrow. Her loss has drained the color from this town. His days have become methodical and tired.
This restlessness and sudden feeling of being trapped in his station in West Haven, has infiltrated his dreams. In his younger years, he visited wild places. He has squared up against monsters of lore, fought his way in and out of trouble and has the scars to prove it. But those days, their memories and his trophies of valor (beyond the creaks in his body) have been all but lost. His dreams now are of a cage forged by his own two hands. He builds it out of fear to protect himself from an unknown danger beyond. But, it is also slowly trapping him from the world...the dangerous world he once loved.
His daughter is clearly poised to take over the Smithy. Elena's work has begun to surpass his in intricacy and creativity. Don't be mistaken, Calim can still swing a hammer methodically, powerfully and reliably. His name is synonymous with quality in West Haven. But, there is no zeal in it. No spark. And no spark, for a smithy, is a problem.
His eldest son was lost in childbirth, remembered by a tattoo of a songbird in flight across his broad shoulders. He thought this would be the end for his Mara, way back then...the way she grieved. That sorrow had grabbed him, as a young man, and forced him to settle down. Her grief was sobering and washed away all of his thoughts of adventure. He felt a surge of honor in caring for her and building a family. There he would find his pride.
But recently, even the family was breaking apart. His youngest, Darius, was clearing his own path. He and his young bride were expecting their first soon. Their recent move had been another unmooring. He had no home here anymore. At least not at the Anvil. He needs to look up and notice that his life has lost any meaning. He needs to find meaning.
What would it look like to break free again though? What would it feel like to test his spirit and honor? What would it feel like to wield a sword, to deserve his honor, to make a mark again?
With each clang of metal on metal, he ponders these questions. He ponders and plans.
Stat Roll
Ability scores: 10 12 11 12 12 15
Race/Class/Background
Human-Paladin-Noble(Knight Variant)
Character Dossier
Alignment: L/N
Name: Dorn Tallstag
Ethnicity: Tethyrian
Equipment: Rapier & Shield, Dagger, Priests Pack, Chain Mail & Holy Symbol, Playing cards, A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp
Serves Tyr, the God of Justice
Noble of the Tallstag family, third son of Lord Tallstag, Delivered up to the service of the church, as is customary for all third-born children of Tethyrian culture. upon the death of his oldest brother, Dorn was moved at the loss felt by his mother. Although never met his oldest brother, Dorn made a covenant to take on the burden of the responsibilities of the first-born son: to serve in battle. he discussed this with the elders of the church of Tyr and after much council, was ordained and tasked with the mission of joining an unaffiliated company west of his homeland that has set out to discover a new world. To assist him, comes 3 of his retainers: (DM's choice)
Personality traits:
•No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I am a cut above the unwashed masses.
•Responsibility. It is my duty to respect the authority of those above me, just as those below me must respect mine. (Lawful)
•My loyalty to my sovereign is unwavering.
•I secretly believe that everyone is beneath me.
Motive: to work alongside the exploring company to serve his end alone: Expand the known land in the name of his family and his God Tyr.
Character arch: may potentially learn the nuance of battle, loss, and diversity as he experiences a new world and unfamiliar PCs. (the world actually doesn't revolve around him)
Hi DM! Im just now getting involved in PBP, but I think its a fun and passive way to play and am excited for joining one. I'm a DM too, so I literally never play 😂 but, I'm super laid back, and love a good story. This Character I just typed up can be as flexible as you need it to be. It's tough when you don't know the entire setting but, if you need to change anything around or add anything at all, I'm here for it. Looking forward to this!
What level will we start at and will it be XP or milestone?
Characters will begin at 1st level and this tale will use XP awards.
I play on discord and I'm a forever DM for the most part. Looking for a more passive style of play as well and also never used the tools for PBP here. Would love to be a player in your campaign! I'll get a character together asap if you'll have me
I am interested and here is my character. A tormented dragonborn warlock with the haunted background.
Kilrakas Krophir's Character Sheet - D&D Beyond (dndbeyond.com)
A party is starting to shape up nicely, gang.
... Who will join them?
Race: Half-elf
Class: Wild Magic Sorcerer 3
Background: Outlander (Exile)
Alignment (Detailed): Chaotic Good. Volneer always tries to do the best thing, but he's kind of a bad judge of what the best thing is.
Ability scores: 14 12 7 12 16 17
(Backstory on request, have it written down and don't want to rewrite
Bilyur Ningel - 100 dungeons of the blood Archivist
Thread
Jaren - Campaignless Adventure
Thread
Volneer Smith Bryskin - Norea/Westhaven
OOC thread
IC thread
Bryskin Alleywood - The Scarlet Mist
Thread
Heiberos Ganneva - Tyranny of dragons
@Zajmad, Can you provide a brief synopsis of this character please?
I’d like to hear a bit more about Kilrakas before I decide.
Here's a basic synopsis of Volneer
Low self-esteem
Does what he thinks is the right thing
Ashamed of his power, (But not afraid to use it)
He doesn't like to form close relationships, (They usually go wrong[because of his power].)
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/119834123
Bilyur Ningel - 100 dungeons of the blood Archivist
Thread
Jaren - Campaignless Adventure
Thread
Volneer Smith Bryskin - Norea/Westhaven
OOC thread
IC thread
Bryskin Alleywood - The Scarlet Mist
Thread
Heiberos Ganneva - Tyranny of dragons
Kilrakas was a young dragonborn living the life of a good little dragon. His family are all good aligned and stout followers of Bahamut. They believed that the platinum dragon Bahamut was once a gold dragon and achieved platinum through virtue. The entire clan worship him and seek to follow in his footsteps. When Kilrakas was younger he was tricked into servitude of a fiend and became a warlock. He is tormented by this fiend every night in his dreams. He left his clan in search of a way to rid himself of the fiend and return to the teachings of Bahamut. He is stuck in a catch 22 though, because he has to use his evil warlock powers to survive, but the more he uses them, the more evil he becomes. The fiend's grip gets stronger every time he calls on his powers.
Also, will it be fixed or rolled hit point increase?
Bilyur Ningel - 100 dungeons of the blood Archivist
Thread
Jaren - Campaignless Adventure
Thread
Volneer Smith Bryskin - Norea/Westhaven
OOC thread
IC thread
Bryskin Alleywood - The Scarlet Mist
Thread
Heiberos Ganneva - Tyranny of dragons
Possible retainer for Dorn Tallstag:
Rin the magic maid, young human female Wizard (will be conjuration school)
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/120101070/NNjgrF
Rin was an orphan surviving on the streets when she picked the pocket of the wrong person. Or maybe it was the right person. In any case, when the wizard whose pocket she picked caught up with her, instead of punishing her, he hired her as a maid. While being a maid was a lot of work, it came with 3 meals a day and a warm place to sleep, MUCH better than life on the streets. Best of all, the wizard let her read his magic books, and would even give her pointers from time to time. She started using magic to help with her work as a maid. When she became an adult the Wizard sent her on her way, telling her that she was the best apprentice he ever had, but she was a full fledged wizard now, and it was time for him to start looking for a new apprentice. She still thinks herself as a maid that can do magic rather than a wizard, and she can cook & clean as well as casting spells. She can even pick locks, a skill she picked up on the streets.
After leaving he masters tower, she might make a good retainer for a noble. Although she presents as a maid, she IS a full wizard and can fight as such. Also she's a very good cook, whose meals are good enough to improve healing from a short rest or provide a few temp HP as a snack.
Background: Entertainer
Alignment (Detailed): Chaotic neutral. Simeon is really just along for a ride to have fun. He loves to entertain, and hopes to build fame for himself, but he's not the type of guy to run into a building to save a stranger.
Character Synop: Simeon grew up on the streets. His mom died when he was young, and his dad was a charlatan with an affinity for magic. He taught Simeon what he knew about magic, but he couldn't satisfy the young halflings interest in magic. A local librarian took a liking to simeon, showed him to some basic magic books. Simeon would then spend hours practicing magic, finding a particular interest in illusory magic. He then used that knowledge to gain some renown as a street performer, utilizing a deck of cards and his magic to create enticing shows. However, he really wanted more than some mild renown, so decided to set off adventuring, in the hopes of acquiring more fame.
Note: an interesting quirk about Simeon is his spell book. It's actually a deck of cards that he inscribes his spells on. Each time he casts a spell he uses the cards in some way to actually cast the spell, the specifics of which depends on the spell.
Would love to join. First time playing PbP. Playing in two FGU campaigns after a 30-year hiatus.
Lira (Rogue)
Backstory:
Personality
Human ancestry
Family Tragedy
Life in "Capitivity"
False Identity
Furin Naugsel (friends call him “Foo”); in an ancient elvish language his name means “hidden dwarf child”
Male, Hill Dwarf
Flamboyant, charming, and manipulative; “knows” everyone and “often visits” whatever city he happens to be in
Merchant; describes himself as a “Purveyor of Potent Potions, Bejeweled Baubles, and Exotic Eccentricities”. Owns a chain of shops across Solamnia called “Foo’s Continental Trade Goods.”
Thank you very much for the submissions, gang.
Recruiting has closed for this tale.
I’ll make the final selections this afternoon and let you know.
Did you want full character sheets? Or is the description enough?
Never mind, edited my submission to add a full character sheet.