Baldur's gate, home to many and perhaps even you, a city along Chionthar river that grew rapidly due to the hero that it was named after. And perhaps more widely known by the infamous acts done against it, such as Bhaalspawn slaughtering innocents and each other to become the new Lord of Murder. The city has endured its schemes and plots and shall hopefully stand against it all. Even as the up stream city neighbor, Elturel, disappears, inciting panic as refugees begin to flood down to Baldur's gate.
- For those that seek a different challenge, one that tests the mettle and adaptability of their characters. Hardcore presents a change to the campaign, with bosses and named enemies maxed health, injuries to characters, critical fail misfortune, and more. But with such difficulty, the players must be balanced as well, as their health shall be maxed as well, inspiration shall stack, and a way to reroll for one of the ability scores. And with current ruling will be 2024's ruleset, so all characters shall be given a feat by their background. To highlight what features will be active in hardcore, please check the following.
Maximum health is given to Bosses and named enemies
Should a character fall to 0 HP, the character suffers an injury (DM's roll), for example minor scars up to maimed limbs
Suffering massive damage ( More or equal to half their max HP ) will also have a chance to give characters an injury
Critical fails done by characters in combat shall inhibit or harm the party in some way
Flanking is active for both players and enemies
Bosses shall have multiple turns instead of legendary reactions.
And vice versa, for the character.
Maximum health
Injuries are recoverable (Set by DM)
Critical successes, both in combat and out of it, shall reward players with inspiration. (Rolls made with advantage does not count, Rolls made with disadvantage but both are critical will give two inspiration.)
Inspiration can stack but is limited to 3 and only for the character awarded to (Not party wide). Overstacking will give the characters the chance to give inspiration over to another character.
Upon level up and found in certain loot, are coins of fate. This item is able to reroll a single ability score, give a character a long rest, or force a success or fail on a save. Multiple coins will increase effects, such as three will allow you to do a new set of ability scores, choose a feat, or a permanent blessing. More coins shall further effect but that is up DM's discretion
Upon the defeat of minor bosses or bosses, characters shall be given the benefits of a short rest.
Any race and class may apply, with the only exception being the Illrigger. Characters shall start at level 1 and ability scores shall be rolled with ones rerolled once. Applications shall be presented as the following.
Name:
Race:
Class:
Background + Reason for being in Baldur's Gate:
Ability scores: (Quote the post where they were rolled)
Warning: If a character dies, the player is allowed to make one more char. Afterwards, if that character dies, they are taken out of the campaign. This is per player tier, i/e levels 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, so players with dead characters can try to apply again once a new tier is met. The thread shall update it's first post to dictate what level the current campaign is at and what the party currently consists of.
"grandpa" Salkur, deep gnome artificer/sorcerer: Spiderwrangler's Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Artificer/cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volcano Genasi Artificer: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war |Smithy, Human Artificer: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Blue Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): The adventure at Hope's End
A runaway noblewoman, Kit sought a life of freedom and adventure, away from the constraints of her family and an arranged marriage. Falling in with a band of like-minded but equally inexperienced adventurers, Kit's first campaign ended in disaster and near annihilation. When it was over, Kit's love, a Cleric of Ilmater from Baldur's Gate, was among the dead. Kit has made a pilgrimage to the Temple of Ilmater so that Eila could receive the final rites of her order and a proper burial, and to connect to Eila through the streets of her hometown. Now that she's here, she doesn't know what to do with the rest of her life.
Background and reason for being in Baldur's Gate: Soldier.
Arkon Boulderborn was born among the Skyhammer Clan, a reclusive Goliath tribe in the Stormspire Peaks that claims descent from ancient stone giants. Raised on tales of his ancestors’ strength and wisdom, Arkon grew up with an unyielding sense of duty to honor their legacy. However, the quiet life of his people did not satisfy him—he longed to see the world and test his strength against greater challenges. When word of unrest in the lowlands reached his mountain home, Arkon set out to prove himself and carve his own path.
His journey led him to Baldur’s Gate, a city rife with opportunity and danger, where he hoped to find his place among other aspiring adventurers. The bustling streets and volatile politics were unlike anything he had known, but Arkon saw them as a proving ground for his skills. Carrying his clan’s blessing, he stands ready to face whatever trials come his way, determined to forge a legacy worthy of his stone giant heritage.
Background + ReasonforbeinginBaldur'sGate: Guide & I was summoned to Baldur's Gate by a close friend as they are having trouble with their warehouse and thefts.
Abilityscores: (Quote the post where they were rolled)
Background + Reason for being in Baldur's Gate: Farmer background. As a young dwarf Zim fought the Underdark from the North Reach as part of Clan Eaglecleft. That was a lifetime ago. Now Zim is an aged and elder dwarf who owns a farm outside of Baulder's Gate and brings his crops to market to make some extra coin.
Reason for being in Baldur's Gate: Durak has heard of Little Calimshan in the Outer City of Baldur's Gate. The rumor is that they have almost a monopoly on magical tomes coming from the south. Of course, the prices for such a tome are very expensive. As it is not a complete monopoly a magical tome from Calimshan must be somewhere in Baldur's Gate. Hopefully he can find one at a much-reduced price. Heck he is even willing to buy a used a dog-ear faded mess of a book if it means progressing his understanding of the Weave of magic.
Currently Closed
Baldur's gate, home to many and perhaps even you, a city along Chionthar river that grew rapidly due to the hero that it was named after. And perhaps more widely known by the infamous acts done against it, such as Bhaalspawn slaughtering innocents and each other to become the new Lord of Murder. The city has endured its schemes and plots and shall hopefully stand against it all. Even as the up stream city neighbor, Elturel, disappears, inciting panic as refugees begin to flood down to Baldur's gate.
- For those that seek a different challenge, one that tests the mettle and adaptability of their characters. Hardcore presents a change to the campaign, with bosses and named enemies maxed health, injuries to characters, critical fail misfortune, and more. But with such difficulty, the players must be balanced as well, as their health shall be maxed as well, inspiration shall stack, and a way to reroll for one of the ability scores. And with current ruling will be 2024's ruleset, so all characters shall be given a feat by their background. To highlight what features will be active in hardcore, please check the following.
And vice versa, for the character.
Any race and class may apply, with the only exception being the Illrigger. Characters shall start at level 1 and ability scores shall be rolled with ones rerolled once. Applications shall be presented as the following.
Warning: If a character dies, the player is allowed to make one more char. Afterwards, if that character dies, they are taken out of the campaign. This is per player tier, i/e levels 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, so players with dead characters can try to apply again once a new tier is met. The thread shall update it's first post to dictate what level the current campaign is at and what the party currently consists of.
Party:
Ability scores: 12 15 14 11 17 14
"grandpa" Salkur, deep gnome artificer/sorcerer: Spiderwrangler's Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Artificer/cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volcano Genasi Artificer: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war | Smithy, Human Artificer: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Blue Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): The adventure at Hope's End
Ability scores: 10 13 13 10 8 17
Ability scores: 15 14 13 13 15 8
Ability scores: 15 11 8 13 14 14
Name: Kit Forthall/Lady Kitiara of House Skye
Race: Half-Elf
Class: Paladin
Background: Runagate (reskinned 2014 Charlton)
Background Feat: Magic Initiate (Bard)
Reason for being in Baldur's Gate:
A runaway noblewoman, Kit sought a life of freedom and adventure, away from the constraints of her family and an arranged marriage. Falling in with a band of like-minded but equally inexperienced adventurers, Kit's first campaign ended in disaster and near annihilation. When it was over, Kit's love, a Cleric of Ilmater from Baldur's Gate, was among the dead. Kit has made a pilgrimage to the Temple of Ilmater so that Eila could receive the final rites of her order and a proper burial, and to connect to Eila through the streets of her hometown. Now that she's here, she doesn't know what to do with the rest of her life.
Ability scores: 13 13 11 12 7 16
Ability scores: 13 15 14 14 8 15
Name: Valeria Flaemden
Race: Human
Class: Warlock
Background: Baldurian Patriar (Noble)
Backstory: WIP
Name: Arkon Boulderborn
Race: Goliath (Stone Giant Ancestry)
Class: Fighter
Background and reason for being in Baldur's Gate: Soldier.
Arkon Boulderborn was born among the Skyhammer Clan, a reclusive Goliath tribe in the Stormspire Peaks that claims descent from ancient stone giants. Raised on tales of his ancestors’ strength and wisdom, Arkon grew up with an unyielding sense of duty to honor their legacy. However, the quiet life of his people did not satisfy him—he longed to see the world and test his strength against greater challenges. When word of unrest in the lowlands reached his mountain home, Arkon set out to prove himself and carve his own path.
His journey led him to Baldur’s Gate, a city rife with opportunity and danger, where he hoped to find his place among other aspiring adventurers. The bustling streets and volatile politics were unlike anything he had known, but Arkon saw them as a proving ground for his skills. Carrying his clan’s blessing, he stands ready to face whatever trials come his way, determined to forge a legacy worthy of his stone giant heritage.
Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/137536623/X49l7B
Name - Santos Grasstalon
Race - variant human
Class - cleric life domain
Background - guide, just escorted a caravan of furs from Nashkel to town, restocking before heading back.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/137537427/eAgKH1
Abilities:
12 13 11 13 10 12
Ability scores: 17 16 12 12 13 15
Ability scores: 17 10 16 13 16 15
D&D since 1984
D&D since 1984
Zim Eaglecleft, Fighter 1 (Farmer Dwarf), Descent into Avernus (Hardcore)
I’ll bite. Shame we can’t use the Illrigger since it’s the campaign is in Avernus, but the class is uber-powerful, so I get why it’s not allowed.
Placeholder for now as I role Ability scores: 15 17 16 8 15 10
This sounds like a ton of fun! So many cool home brew rules! And from what I’ve heard BG:DIA is a good campaign!
Hi, I'm Raccoon_Master, a young genderfluid actor, writer, explorer, and bass vocalist. Pronouns They/Them/Theirs
My Characters: Brormin the Devout Crusher; Morgrom the Cunning Summoner; Thea the Rebellious Beauty;
Check out my EXTENDED SIGNATUR and don’t forget to join the Anything but the OGL 2.0 Thread!
"I don't make sense to you, and I don't make sense to myself. Maybe the only one I make sense to is God" ~ Me, trying to sound smart
Can we fall back on point buy / standard array?
Durak has heard of Little Calimshan in the Outer City of Baldur's Gate. The rumor is that they have almost a monopoly on magical tomes coming from the south. Of course, the prices for such a tome are very expensive. As it is not a complete monopoly a magical tome from Calimshan must be somewhere in Baldur's Gate. Hopefully he can find one at a much-reduced price. Heck he is even willing to buy a used a dog-ear faded mess of a book if it means progressing his understanding of the Weave of magic.