For the time it takes to complete or TPK, I am the Dungeon Master (DM) for an Out of the Abyss tabletop group consisting of my real life friends. I have spent an enormous amount of time reading through the module, researching third party material on how to run it, preparing notes, listing important details, drawing maps and setting it all up in Roll20.
Even though my group and I are - for intents and purposes - still at the beginning, I am already less than encouraged at the prospect that all my prep work becomes useless once my group is through the content. So I find myself wanting to re-use the work I'm putting into this, to your benefit and to exercise and practice my DM skills!
The following is a huge wall of text. I know, this is intentional. If you can't find the time to read through a wall of text in a Play by Post application thread, then I'd rather weed you out now than later. Do not submit a pre-made character to apply. Read thoroughly to understand what I require in your application.
There are things we need to know about each other:
Me as a DM:
I am still a relatively new DM, but I have a good handle on how it all works. Mistakes will be made. Call me out on them, I relish the opportunity to learn from my mistakes. However, if I rule something 'too late' to change, then roll with it and let it go. The next time I'll get it right.
I have very little tolerance for meta-gaming. If you already know the module and make decisions based on what you know should be happening, I will not be pleased. I would prefer players that don't know the story join this campaign. Meta-gaming also goes down to finer details, such as information given to an ally, that your character is not aware of. Acting on the information is meta-gaming. Play based on what your character knows, not what YOU know as a player.
My goal is to be Rules as Written (RAW) as much as possible. There may be some house rules that will 'evolve' as needed, and I will definitely limit certain races and class choices where I feel they break the module (such as races that fly or swim/breathe water).
There will have to be some leniency in the above RAW due to the nature of Play by Post, just to keep things moving at as fast a pace as possible. For example:
The HELP action. If a character posts a rolled skill check as part of their daily post, someone may have wanted to provide help to give advantage. In a tabletop game, that player would have said so before the roll, and the character performing the skill check would have rolled twice and used the higher result. However with PBP the roll is cast before anyone else knows the dice will be rolled. The HELP action becomes almost impossible to use short of pre-planning every throw of the dice with the rest of the group, which would make the story progression glacially slow.
The concession I make in PBP is a player can follow up with their own roll, as a HELP action after the first character posts their skill check, but using the first character's skill modifier. This gives the player a bit of agency with his action, and it skips the wait involved for the original character to come back online, read what happened and roll again for advantage.
Battle maps: I've become aware there is quite a debate between people that champion Theatre of the Mind versus using Battle maps. Personally I think that a campaign that is RP heavy and combat lite would be just fine with Theater of the Mind, but when combat is an equal or greater part of the gameplay, battle maps are necessary to be fair to various classes and their skills or spells. For example:
A druid wants to cast Spike Growth, an area of effect spell that creates difficult terrain that also does damage when creatures move through it. The Druid says, "I want to cast spike growth between the party and the creatures, using or creating a choke point if I can." In Theatre of hte Mind, the DM then closes his eyes and imagines how he wants this to play out:
Either he enables the players and always makes things happen, which just encourages players to min/max damaging or utility spells, or
He is a hard ass and says, "Sorry that's not possible without catching all your party at the same time," which renders many abilities, and hence classes, near to useless, or
He goes middle of the road and says "You catch some creatures but also affect some allies." Which leads to the next question: Do you want to do this? And that introduces a delay in the progression as you wait for the back and forth, among other problems.
Theater of the mind, although fine for many, does not bode well with me because I don't want to be responsible for making the decision to allow a character's plan to work or not based on my whim. With a battle map, the player says "I cast Spike Growth at location A1" and it happens, good or bad, no back and forth or negotiations required.
Here is a visual example of how the battle map will be presented to you:
Out of the Abyss can be brutal. If players approach every problem with combat, the story will end quickly. There is a lot of randomness and encounter tables. I will adhere to randomness in encounters but I won't be a jerk either. The party may make choices at the beginning that will mean they will find themselves with very little equipment or supplies, which hurts some classes more than others. As a DM I will make sure to introduce the needed equipment/stuff as you surmount these random encounters so that your characters can at least be effective going forward.
There are many NPC's at the beginning of this module who have the potential to stick with the party for quite some time. I do not want to potentially run more NPC's than there are players. Therefore I will be offloading the playing of these NPC's in combat to the players. However I will withhold certain information and veto some actions based on the NPC backstories that haven't been revealed to the players.
I have access to all the published content and will be sharing it in the campaign you will join, so you do not need to own anything to participate.
You as a player:
You should be willing to create a character with a backstory that you will have to reveal to other players as they interact with you. You are also expected to try and interact with other NPC's and especially other players to explore their backstories they so meticulously created.
You have to be comfortable and willing to play various classes. Character creation will not happen until after you have been selected to play in this campaign. I will make it a requirement that players play different classes, without making any particular class (or role) a requirement.
You should be able to post once per weekday at a minimum. I don't care where you are in the world, I just want 1 post minimum per 24 hours. Play will continue on weekends if people contribute, but I will not enforce it.
Real life happens. I expect the courtesy of letting everyone know you will be absent if something happens and you can't meet the minimum posts per weekday. You also have to be OK with the fact that as a DM I may play your character while you are absent to keep things moving along and your character may die while under my control. I won't pull punches or fudge dice because you're away.
Which brings us to replacement characters. I want you to put a lot of effort into your characters, but don't get so attached to them that you would not want to continue with a replacement character, of which you should at least have a concept prepared.
This is a pet peeve of mine and I apologize to those this disqualifies, but you have to have a decent grasp of the English language. This module will be run in English and I don't want ambiguous posts because English is not your first language. Also, if you know you're not great with spelling and grammar, then write your post in a word processing program first and then copy/paste to post.
After you have posted your application in this thread, please PM me a short summary of all of the main points (not the indented ones) for "Me as a DM" and "You as a player", to show me you understand what I offer and ask of you.
I will be using Roll20 to run the NPC's and show you the areas you find yourselves in. You do not need to interact with Roll20 at all. I will make the moves as directed by you and screenshot the maps to post in the forum thread. The maps will have a grid: letters on top (columns) and numbers on side (rows). When you declare a movement, you will give me coordinates (Letter + Number) to where you want to move, and if necessary give me an intermediate coordinate if you are trying to take a non-direct path.
In combat, we will follow an initiative order. I'm just going to use the Roll20 tracker and include it in the screenshots. Due to the nature of Play by Post, I'm going to ask every player character that gets to act before the next enemy creature do so and post their actions as soon as possible. I will narrate them in the correct initiative order as I receive them. If something happens that invalidates your intended action before your turn in the initiative order, I will allow you to change your actions with a new post.
When enemy creatures take their turns, I will post the results in the forum thread. These results, good or bad, can still be altered based on your available reactions or abilities. If I see all players have submitted further actions without affecting the previous results, I will post a table showing the players, their health, any status effects, etc… When I post this table, what is done is done, and the window to change the outcome using abilities has expired.
Here is an example to illustrate the above:
Post 1:
Player 1 moves from B2 to C3 and attacks creature A:
Bludgeoning attack: 9 Damage: 6
Post 2:
Player 2 moves from A5 to A7 and casts firebolt at creature B:
Firebolt attack: 18 Damage: 9
Post 3:
Player 3 moves from G4 to F7 and shoots Creature C:
crossbow attack: 7: Damage 5
Post 4:
Creature A moves from D4 to A6 and attacks Player 2:
Claw slashing attack: 24 (crit) Damage: 22
Creature B attacks Player 1:
Bludgeoning attack: 17 Damage 5
Creature C throws spear at player 3:
Piercing attack: 18 Damage: 3
Post 5:
Player 1 takes an opportunity attack against Creature A:
Bludgeoning attack: 8 Damage: 12
Post 6:
Player 2 uses Portent die to change Player 1 opportunity attack to-hit to a Nat 20.
Post 7:
Player 3 casts Shield to increase AC to 19
Post 8:
Health
Result
Status
Player 1 action
15/20
Miss
Player 1 reaction
Miss
Player 2 action
20/20
Hit
Player 2 reaction
Portent
Player 1 reaction
(portent)
Hit & Crit
Player 3 action
20/20
Miss
Player 3 reaction
Shield: AC 19
Creature A
Action
0/15
Killed before
Action
Dead
Creature B
Action
6/15
Hit
Creature C
15/15
Miss
If you've read through this wall of text and you still want to apply to play in this module, then here is what I want from you as part of your application:
Tell me if you know this module already. I won't disqualify you for knowing it, but you will be expected to take a secondary role in the decision making if I choose you.
Pick a background. Any one, this is just temporary.
Pick 2 Personality Traits, 1 Ideal, Bond and Flaw.
Write up a short backstory that tries to incorporate all of the traits, ideals, bonds and flaws into it.
Note: this backstory is just to give me a feel for your style. It will not be used for the actual characters that you will be creating, so keep it short and don't get attached to it.
Once we have a group of 5-6 players, we will have a session zero to create characters. I'm doing it this way because the module offers alternative backgrounds and bonds, and I want to be able to coach people in their class choices based off what I know of the module and other house limitations. Some classes are going to have a very hard time at the beginning.
Recruitment is only open as long as it takes me to pick players to join.
I did indeed read your wall of text and am still interested in applying. I do not know this module.
I've picked Hermit as my background and below you will find my traits, ideal, bond, and flaw.
Traits: I connect everything that happens to me to a grand, cosmic plan. I feel tremendous empathy for all who suffer.
Ideal: Free Thinking. Inquiry and curiosity are the pillars of progress. (Chaotic)
Bond: I’m still seeking the enlightenment I pursued in my seclusion, and it still eludes me.
Flaw: I’d risk too much to uncover a lost bit of knowledge.
Here's a concise story that may or may not fulfill your requirements. She's a half-elf wizard (a witch, really) that was abandoned by her mother. She was found and adopted by the hag of a nearby swamp - the typical old witch that villagers are afraid of but hesitantly visit for potions and poultices when no traditional remedy will work. It's in this secluded environment that Delmae is raised and educated. Now into her middle 30's, she tends to her ailing mother and has completely assumed the role of medicine woman for the local villagers. A day comes that her mother dies and Delmae abandons her assumed responsibility. She packs her things and leaves the marsh to pursue the wanderlust that has poked and prodded at her since childhood.
I think that does it. My DM will follow shortly. Take care now.
I'm also interested in applying. I know nothing about the module other than the fact that it involves escaping the underdark. Can usually post multiple times a day on weekdays. Weekends are spotty.
Urban Bounty Hunter background
Personality Traits
I am always calm, no matter what the situation. I never raise my voice or let my emotions control me.
I would rather make a new friend than a new enemy.
Ideals
Redemption. There’s a spark of good in everyone.
Bonds
I’m trying to pay off an old debt I owe to a generous benefactor.
Flaws
If there’s a plan, I’ll forget it. If I don’t forget it, I’ll ignore it.
Olokas grew up on the streets. From a young age he learned to beg, pickpocket and steal to get money or food, and eventually found himself tangled up in a street gang. In his late teens, he was caught by a bounty hunter during a job. Recognizing the hard life Olokas had led and the reasons he had ended up where he was, the bounty hunter took pity on him and offered to train him in his own profession as an alternative to a life of crime. Olokas accepted the offer and trained hard. One night, though, they were attacked by a werewolf while training. Olokas was injured in the fighting and infected. It was only then that the bounty hunter revealed a further secret, that he practiced blood magic. He taught Olokas to use this magic as well, for through it he would be able to control the curse within. Eventually, as his skills progressed far enough, Olokas started taking on bounties of his own and making a name for himself, while always remembering what his mentor did for him, and watching for opportunities to help others in the same way.
I'm interested in applying. Know nothing about the module. (I thought it was about the abyssal planes, before I read Vander's comment.)
Soldier background
Personality: I'm haunted by memories of war. I can't get the images of violence out of my mind... I enjoy being strong and breaking things.
Ideal: Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others.
Bond: I'll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it.
Flaw: The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear.
Beegred (bee-gred, not "big red") is a halfling. (In "The Hobbit", the story describes stone giants playing around with boulders, unaware of the dwarves trying to cross the Misty Mountains.) He was part of his village's militia, which was wiped out in the crossfire of giants deciding to play dodgeball with boulders. He has one of the few who survived. He decided to dedicate himself to become a fighting machine capable of taking down a giant singlehanded. Has a chip on his shoulder, about being strong enough to defend others.
Will message shortly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Personality Trait 1 - I have great confidence in my ability to solve problems, escape trouble, and maneuver through delicate situations.
Personality Trait 2 - I believe in keeping my words few but necessary.
Ideal - Rules seem to create more problems than they solve. (Chaotic)
Bond - All cloakers must die. The Underdark, if nothing else, is my personal hunting ground for these vile aberrations.
Flaw - I am terribly impatient, and, therefore, have a tendency to act before thinking.
Backstory: I served as scout and protector for my deep gnome enclave as they worked their way through the Underdark mining for precious stones. Creeping silently through crevices and tunnels, I sought to find any fell beast that might be waiting for, or hunting, my fellow Svirfneblin as they went about their work. Several months ago, my enclave and I entered a subterranean cavern that had been deemed safe just hours before our arrival. Five cloakers, however, had hidden themselves in the cavern in the meantime, and I failed to take the time to search it again. I was one of only four that survived the carnage. With my enclave in tatters, I have begun a new chapter in life. Coupling my knowledge of the Underdark with my keen mind, skilled hands, and sharp blade, I seek to provide aid to the decent and foil the plans of the corrupt. Sometimes the line between the two might be a bit blurry, but I navigate it as well as I'm able.
I've recently started putting together a second campaign to DM for the same reason: I'd like to run through the campaign more than once for all the work I've put into it. I've never run Out of the Abyss, so I should be completely in the dark.
A background: Guild Artisan Two personality traits: I’m rude to people who lack my commitment to hard work and fair play. I’m a snob who looks down on those who can’t appreciate fine art. One Ideal: I work hard to be the best there is at my craft. One bond: I created a great work for someone, and then found them unworthy to receive it. I’m still looking for someone worthy. One flaw: I’m horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by rivals.
Gino Grayhammer is a great blacksmith in a long line of great blacksmiths. For as long as anyone can remember, the Grayhammers have been shaping iron and steel into fine weapons. Some Grayhammers have simply been invaluable during times of war. Other Grayhammers, during times of peace and plenty, when nobles care more about presentation and plumage than keeping their military well armed, have become rich and renowned. Gino was one of the latter. Despite his legendary temper and pride, nobles pressed him for fine Grayhammer blades. They kept throwing gold his way, but he didn't do it for the gold; he did it in an effort to outdo himself with each successive work of deadly art. And, of course, to outshine Lielli Varüstana, his rival blacksmith. Lielli's works were magnificent. With each blade, Gino would think he had surpassed her, but then her next commission would be unveiled, and it, too, would take his breath away. He hated her vehemently. Not only because of her skill, but because of her annoying habit of always turning up wherever he went. She was constantly at his side. Constantly trying to talk to him. Constantly trying to touch him. The very sight of her brought his blood to a boil, especially since he knew she was only doing it to steal his ideas and make him look bad. She might look nice and act polite, but Gino knew what she was up to. So, he did his best to avoid her — he kept his distance and refused to engage her in conversation. When the queen invited Gino to the palace, he knew he had won. He had finally beaten Lielli as the best blacksmith. But she had been invited as well. The queen asked them both to forge a weapon for her. It was a competition! He kept his temper, but just barely. As soon as he returned to his forge, tools flew about his workshop out of rage. A competition?! He couldn't let Lielli win. Her words her ... apologies? ... echoed in his head. But he had just ignored her and stomped away. He began to work furiously. Half-formed blade after half-formed blade was melted down to start over. He couldn't get the mixture right. He couldn't get the heat right. He couldn't work his hammer right. In the middle of the night, he quit his workshop and wandered the streets trying to clear his mind and relax his muscles. Without realizing it, he found himself outside of Lielli's workshop. Curiosity overtook him as he witnessed the firelight shining through the cracks around her shutters and door, and the sounds of metal against metal rang out. He had to take a peek. But that peek was his downfall. Her blade, though not even finished, was another breathtaking piece of art. The shape was spectacular. The inlaid detail was perfect. Gino longed to hold it — to test its weight and flexibility. He was ripped from his daze as Lielli wiped her forehead with a cloth and banked and covered her fire. He watched as she packed up her tools and left the workshop. When he knew she was gone and would not hear him, he entered to inspect her work. Even yet without a hilt, he knew this was going to be her finest work yet. Beautiful and graceful: a queen's blade. It almost felt weightless, yet it was strong. He could envision just the right guard to compliment the blade. He knew the weight it needed to be and what kind of pommel would be best. He could see the queen accepting the blade with a look of awe. She would turn to Lielli and say, "Trying to cheat?" Gino whirled around at the sound of the voice behind him. Throwing out a beefy forearm, Gino connected with Lielli's chest, causing her playful grin to turn into a look of surprise and fear. In slow motion, Gino watched as the beautiful Lielli fell backward ... down ... down ... and stopped. No movement. No cry of pain. Her chest did not rise and fall. And the blood. He couldn't turn away. Her body was completely still. Her eyes were unblinking. The blood. Then, the weight of the blade caught his attention. He looked down at the still-warm metal. He looked at Lielli and back again. He had returned to his workshop in no time. Eschewing sleep, he went to work finishing the blade. The beautiful blade. The strong blade. He made it whole. When Gino appeared in the queen's court with the finished sword, the queen was sad. She was sad that Lielli wasn't able to complete the task — that she had died unexpectedly. Despite Gino's jumbled thoughts ... Despite the presence the sword held in his mind and heart, he understood the queen to say he had won the competition. He was vaguely aware that her words were eloquent. He wondered what Lielli would have said about them. As he realized the queen was reaching out her hands to accept the beautiful weapon, Gino felt himself refusing to hand over the blade. She wasn't worthy. He left the castle. He left with the sword. Lielli's sword. Lielli's beautiful sword. Lielli's perfect sword. Gino packed up his tools. He left his village. No one there was worthy of the sword. He would have to take a journey to find an appropriate owner.
I haven't played this module yet, and like Quasimodal I thought that it was about the abyssal planes.
Background: Urchin
Personality trait 1: I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.
Personality trait 2: I bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding.
Ideal: People. I help the people who help me — that’s what keeps us alive. (Neutral)
Bond: I escaped my life of poverty by robbing an important person, and I’m wanted for it.
Flaw: I will never fully trust anyone other than myself.
Backstory: Kirro was born to a human father and an elven mother. Both died before he was 15. He lived on the streets and struggled to survive for many years. He was part of a gang of other street kids and they were the only ones who he trusted. One day he found a merchants caravan unpacking their wares in the market. There was a gold ring in a box that was unwatched. It was just there... It could pay to feed him and the other kids for months, so he took it and ran. He didn't realize that he had been followed back home. He later left to go see if he could find a fence , the ring hidden in a pocket. When he later went to the alley where their gang made their home, he found the other kids were gone. They had been dragged out of the alley and thrown into prison. At least that was the story he heard. Terrified for his life he grabbed what little belongings he had and ran. He has been running ever since, the ring still in his pocket.
First of all, you had me at this: "If you can't find the time to read through a wall of text in a Play by Post application thread, then I'd rather weed you out now than later."
Amen to that.
That said:
I've never played this module before. Most of my experience is home-brewed, and I'm in the middle of "Princes" right now with my face-to-face group.
Here are the elements for a core character, all randomly selected including Background (because procedural generation is the shit, that's why!)
Background: Folk Hero
Traits: 1) I judge people by their actions, not their words. 2) Thinking is for other people. I prefer action.
Ideal: Fairness: No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law.
Bond: I protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Flaw: Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land.
Character Abstract (using male pronouns, but could be a girl): Not the sharpest tool in the shed, this character makes a modest living by doing odd jobs throughout the town--hauling freight, chopping wood, cleaning stables, to name a few examples. But his real job, in his mind at least, is one of a self-appointed deputy of the village watch. Wherever he's working, he's always on the lookout for mischief, and will quickly move to intervene whenever he sees someone breaking the law or taking advantage of someone else. While the village sheriff publicly denounces this character's behavior, he secretly appreciates the help. After all, the dimwitted fellow hasn't killed anyone or broken any major laws. The one time he came close -- tackling a town guard who refused to pay for a meal at the inn on account of his status -- the town gave such uproarious support to the character that it would have been political suicide for the sheriff to punish him.
I know it probably sounded like I was going to be a hard-ass with character selection, but my only real requirements were attention to detail, good writing skills and agreement with what I am asking from all of you. Everyone that applied did as I asked, which is great and from your responses in private messages, everyone seems to agree with what I envision for this game.
My apologies to SwiftNike and AlphaLyrae. I am going to go with the first 6 applications. That allows me to continue the campaign even if two players stop participating. If you wish, I can contact you to join should I need replacements.
To the remainder: CofeeNoise, VanderLegion, Quasimodal, Jack_Joke, DirtyDogP and Nekraen, you will be receiving an invite to the campaign. All published content will be unlocked and you may post the Race and Class you wish to play here in this thread. I will not allow any races that can Fly or Swim. I will allow only 1 of each class. I do not want to decide for you what class you will be playing, so if two of you pick the same class, please work it out between you. If there is no compromise, then the first to post has precedence.
When you choose your race, please keep in mind the purpose of the module is to escape the Underdark to the surface. Your character/race has to have a reason to not want to be in the Underdark anymore and work with the other players/characters to successfully escape.
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
(Is unearthed arcana allowed? Order cleric looks interesting)
(The "revised ranger" in UA has very different rules about favored enemies and terrain. If UA is allowed, I'd adjust my character... In general, UA is poorly balanced with the normal PHB classes.)
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Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Hello, all! I'm eager to join forces with each of you. I'll stake my claim on the barbarian class, choosing mountain dwarf as my race.
For what it's worth, I'm also happy to play a rogue (probably a gnome of some sort) if we agree that particular skill set will be needed and/or if someone else really wants to take on the melee combat role.
CoffeeNoise - just a warning: Wizards are going to be one of the hardest classes to play at the beginning of this module. If you want to proceed anyway, prepare yourself to be very limited in what you can do.
Out of the Abyss: Play by Post Application Thread
For the time it takes to complete or TPK, I am the Dungeon Master (DM) for an Out of the Abyss tabletop group consisting of my real life friends. I have spent an enormous amount of time reading through the module, researching third party material on how to run it, preparing notes, listing important details, drawing maps and setting it all up in Roll20.
Even though my group and I are - for intents and purposes - still at the beginning, I am already less than encouraged at the prospect that all my prep work becomes useless once my group is through the content. So I find myself wanting to re-use the work I'm putting into this, to your benefit and to exercise and practice my DM skills!
The following is a huge wall of text. I know, this is intentional. If you can't find the time to read through a wall of text in a Play by Post application thread, then I'd rather weed you out now than later. Do not submit a pre-made character to apply. Read thoroughly to understand what I require in your application.
There are things we need to know about each other:
Me as a DM:
You as a player:
After you have posted your application in this thread, please PM me a short summary of all of the main points (not the indented ones) for "Me as a DM" and "You as a player", to show me you understand what I offer and ask of you.
I will be using Roll20 to run the NPC's and show you the areas you find yourselves in. You do not need to interact with Roll20 at all. I will make the moves as directed by you and screenshot the maps to post in the forum thread. The maps will have a grid: letters on top (columns) and numbers on side (rows). When you declare a movement, you will give me coordinates (Letter + Number) to where you want to move, and if necessary give me an intermediate coordinate if you are trying to take a non-direct path.
In combat, we will follow an initiative order. I'm just going to use the Roll20 tracker and include it in the screenshots. Due to the nature of Play by Post, I'm going to ask every player character that gets to act before the next enemy creature do so and post their actions as soon as possible. I will narrate them in the correct initiative order as I receive them. If something happens that invalidates your intended action before your turn in the initiative order, I will allow you to change your actions with a new post.
When enemy creatures take their turns, I will post the results in the forum thread. These results, good or bad, can still be altered based on your available reactions or abilities. If I see all players have submitted further actions without affecting the previous results, I will post a table showing the players, their health, any status effects, etc… When I post this table, what is done is done, and the window to change the outcome using abilities has expired.
Here is an example to illustrate the above:
Post 1:
Player 1 moves from B2 to C3 and attacks creature A:
Bludgeoning attack: 9 Damage: 6
Post 2:
Player 2 moves from A5 to A7 and casts firebolt at creature B:
Firebolt attack: 18 Damage: 9
Post 3:
Player 3 moves from G4 to F7 and shoots Creature C:
crossbow attack: 7: Damage 5
Post 4:
Creature A moves from D4 to A6 and attacks Player 2:
Claw slashing attack: 24 (crit) Damage: 22
Creature B attacks Player 1:
Bludgeoning attack: 17 Damage 5
Creature C throws spear at player 3:
Piercing attack: 18 Damage: 3
Post 5:
Player 1 takes an opportunity attack against Creature A:
Bludgeoning attack: 8 Damage: 12
Post 6:
Player 2 uses Portent die to change Player 1 opportunity attack to-hit to a Nat 20.
Post 7:
Player 3 casts Shield to increase AC to 19
Post 8:
Health
Result
Status
Player 1 action
15/20
Miss
Player 1 reaction
Miss
Player 2 action
20/20
Hit
Player 2 reaction
Portent
Player 1 reaction
(portent)
Hit & Crit
Player 3 action
20/20
Miss
Player 3 reaction
Shield: AC 19
Creature A
Action
0/15
Killed before
Action
Dead
Creature B
Action
6/15
Hit
Creature C
15/15
Miss
If you've read through this wall of text and you still want to apply to play in this module, then here is what I want from you as part of your application:
Note: this backstory is just to give me a feel for your style. It will not be used for the actual characters that you will be creating, so keep it short and don't get attached to it.
Once we have a group of 5-6 players, we will have a session zero to create characters. I'm doing it this way because the module offers alternative backgrounds and bonds, and I want to be able to coach people in their class choices based off what I know of the module and other house limitations. Some classes are going to have a very hard time at the beginning.
Recruitment is only open as long as it takes me to pick players to join.
Hello,
I did indeed read your wall of text and am still interested in applying. I do not know this module.
I've picked Hermit as my background and below you will find my traits, ideal, bond, and flaw.
Traits: I connect everything that happens to me to a grand, cosmic plan. I feel tremendous empathy for all who suffer.
Ideal: Free Thinking. Inquiry and curiosity are the pillars of progress. (Chaotic)
Bond: I’m still seeking the enlightenment I pursued in my seclusion, and it still eludes me.
Flaw: I’d risk too much to uncover a lost bit of knowledge.
Here's a concise story that may or may not fulfill your requirements. She's a half-elf wizard (a witch, really) that was abandoned by her mother. She was found and adopted by the hag of a nearby swamp - the typical old witch that villagers are afraid of but hesitantly visit for potions and poultices when no traditional remedy will work. It's in this secluded environment that Delmae is raised and educated. Now into her middle 30's, she tends to her ailing mother and has completely assumed the role of medicine woman for the local villagers. A day comes that her mother dies and Delmae abandons her assumed responsibility. She packs her things and leaves the marsh to pursue the wanderlust that has poked and prodded at her since childhood.
I think that does it. My DM will follow shortly. Take care now.
I'm also interested in applying. I know nothing about the module other than the fact that it involves escaping the underdark. Can usually post multiple times a day on weekdays. Weekends are spotty.
Urban Bounty Hunter background
I'm interested in applying. Know nothing about the module. (I thought it was about the abyssal planes, before I read Vander's comment.)
Soldier background
Personality: I'm haunted by memories of war. I can't get the images of violence out of my mind... I enjoy being strong and breaking things.
Ideal: Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others.
Bond: I'll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it.
Flaw: The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear.
Beegred (bee-gred, not "big red") is a halfling. (In "The Hobbit", the story describes stone giants playing around with boulders, unaware of the dwarves trying to cross the Misty Mountains.) He was part of his village's militia, which was wiped out in the crossfire of giants deciding to play dodgeball with boulders. He has one of the few who survived. He decided to dedicate himself to become a fighting machine capable of taking down a giant singlehanded. Has a chip on his shoulder, about being strong enough to defend others.
Will message shortly.
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Greetings, Kerrec.
I've recently started putting together a second campaign to DM for the same reason: I'd like to run through the campaign more than once for all the work I've put into it. I've never run Out of the Abyss, so I should be completely in the dark.
A background: Guild Artisan
Two personality traits: I’m rude to people who lack my commitment to hard work and fair play. I’m a snob who looks down on those who can’t appreciate fine art.
One Ideal: I work hard to be the best there is at my craft.
One bond: I created a great work for someone, and then found them unworthy to receive it. I’m still looking for someone worthy.
One flaw: I’m horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by rivals.
Gino Grayhammer is a great blacksmith in a long line of great blacksmiths. For as long as anyone can remember, the Grayhammers have been shaping iron and steel into fine weapons. Some Grayhammers have simply been invaluable during times of war. Other Grayhammers, during times of peace and plenty, when nobles care more about presentation and plumage than keeping their military well armed, have become rich and renowned. Gino was one of the latter. Despite his legendary temper and pride, nobles pressed him for fine Grayhammer blades. They kept throwing gold his way, but he didn't do it for the gold; he did it in an effort to outdo himself with each successive work of deadly art. And, of course, to outshine Lielli Varüstana, his rival blacksmith. Lielli's works were magnificent. With each blade, Gino would think he had surpassed her, but then her next commission would be unveiled, and it, too, would take his breath away. He hated her vehemently. Not only because of her skill, but because of her annoying habit of always turning up wherever he went. She was constantly at his side. Constantly trying to talk to him. Constantly trying to touch him. The very sight of her brought his blood to a boil, especially since he knew she was only doing it to steal his ideas and make him look bad. She might look nice and act polite, but Gino knew what she was up to. So, he did his best to avoid her — he kept his distance and refused to engage her in conversation. When the queen invited Gino to the palace, he knew he had won. He had finally beaten Lielli as the best blacksmith. But she had been invited as well. The queen asked them both to forge a weapon for her. It was a competition! He kept his temper, but just barely. As soon as he returned to his forge, tools flew about his workshop out of rage. A competition?! He couldn't let Lielli win. Her words her ... apologies? ... echoed in his head. But he had just ignored her and stomped away. He began to work furiously. Half-formed blade after half-formed blade was melted down to start over. He couldn't get the mixture right. He couldn't get the heat right. He couldn't work his hammer right. In the middle of the night, he quit his workshop and wandered the streets trying to clear his mind and relax his muscles. Without realizing it, he found himself outside of Lielli's workshop. Curiosity overtook him as he witnessed the firelight shining through the cracks around her shutters and door, and the sounds of metal against metal rang out. He had to take a peek. But that peek was his downfall. Her blade, though not even finished, was another breathtaking piece of art. The shape was spectacular. The inlaid detail was perfect. Gino longed to hold it — to test its weight and flexibility. He was ripped from his daze as Lielli wiped her forehead with a cloth and banked and covered her fire. He watched as she packed up her tools and left the workshop. When he knew she was gone and would not hear him, he entered to inspect her work. Even yet without a hilt, he knew this was going to be her finest work yet. Beautiful and graceful: a queen's blade. It almost felt weightless, yet it was strong. He could envision just the right guard to compliment the blade. He knew the weight it needed to be and what kind of pommel would be best. He could see the queen accepting the blade with a look of awe. She would turn to Lielli and say, "Trying to cheat?" Gino whirled around at the sound of the voice behind him. Throwing out a beefy forearm, Gino connected with Lielli's chest, causing her playful grin to turn into a look of surprise and fear. In slow motion, Gino watched as the beautiful Lielli fell backward ... down ... down ... and stopped. No movement. No cry of pain. Her chest did not rise and fall. And the blood. He couldn't turn away. Her body was completely still. Her eyes were unblinking. The blood. Then, the weight of the blade caught his attention. He looked down at the still-warm metal. He looked at Lielli and back again. He had returned to his workshop in no time. Eschewing sleep, he went to work finishing the blade. The beautiful blade. The strong blade. He made it whole. When Gino appeared in the queen's court with the finished sword, the queen was sad. She was sad that Lielli wasn't able to complete the task — that she had died unexpectedly. Despite Gino's jumbled thoughts ... Despite the presence the sword held in his mind and heart, he understood the queen to say he had won the competition. He was vaguely aware that her words were eloquent. He wondered what Lielli would have said about them. As he realized the queen was reaching out her hands to accept the beautiful weapon, Gino felt himself refusing to hand over the blade. She wasn't worthy. He left the castle. He left with the sword. Lielli's sword. Lielli's beautiful sword. Lielli's perfect sword. Gino packed up his tools. He left his village. No one there was worthy of the sword. He would have to take a journey to find an appropriate owner.
I haven't played this module yet, and like Quasimodal I thought that it was about the abyssal planes.
Background: Urchin
Personality trait 1: I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.
Personality trait 2: I bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding.
Ideal: People. I help the people who help me — that’s what keeps us alive. (Neutral)
Bond: I escaped my life of poverty by robbing an important person, and I’m wanted for it.
Flaw: I will never fully trust anyone other than myself.
Backstory: Kirro was born to a human father and an elven mother. Both died before he was 15. He lived on the streets and struggled to survive for many years. He was part of a gang of other street kids and they were the only ones who he trusted. One day he found a merchants caravan unpacking their wares in the market. There was a gold ring in a box that was unwatched. It was just there... It could pay to feed him and the other kids for months, so he took it and ran. He didn't realize that he had been followed back home. He later left to go see if he could find a fence , the ring hidden in a pocket. When he later went to the alley where their gang made their home, he found the other kids were gone. They had been dragged out of the alley and thrown into prison. At least that was the story he heard. Terrified for his life he grabbed what little belongings he had and ran. He has been running ever since, the ring still in his pocket.
I'll send the DM in a bit.
First of all, you had me at this: "If you can't find the time to read through a wall of text in a Play by Post application thread, then I'd rather weed you out now than later."
Amen to that.
That said:
I've never played this module before. Most of my experience is home-brewed, and I'm in the middle of "Princes" right now with my face-to-face group.
Here are the elements for a core character, all randomly selected including Background (because procedural generation is the shit, that's why!)
Background: Folk Hero
Traits: 1) I judge people by their actions, not their words. 2) Thinking is for other people. I prefer action.
Ideal: Fairness: No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law.
Bond: I protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Flaw: Secretly, I believe that things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land.
Character Abstract (using male pronouns, but could be a girl): Not the sharpest tool in the shed, this character makes a modest living by doing odd jobs throughout the town--hauling freight, chopping wood, cleaning stables, to name a few examples. But his real job, in his mind at least, is one of a self-appointed deputy of the village watch. Wherever he's working, he's always on the lookout for mischief, and will quickly move to intervene whenever he sees someone breaking the law or taking advantage of someone else. While the village sheriff publicly denounces this character's behavior, he secretly appreciates the help. After all, the dimwitted fellow hasn't killed anyone or broken any major laws. The one time he came close -- tackling a town guard who refused to pay for a meal at the inn on account of his status -- the town gave such uproarious support to the character that it would have been political suicide for the sheriff to punish him.
Current Roles:
GM - Fata Morgana: The Ghosts of Saltmarsh
RECRUITMENT CLOSED.
I know it probably sounded like I was going to be a hard-ass with character selection, but my only real requirements were attention to detail, good writing skills and agreement with what I am asking from all of you. Everyone that applied did as I asked, which is great and from your responses in private messages, everyone seems to agree with what I envision for this game.
My apologies to SwiftNike and AlphaLyrae. I am going to go with the first 6 applications. That allows me to continue the campaign even if two players stop participating. If you wish, I can contact you to join should I need replacements.
To the remainder: CofeeNoise, VanderLegion, Quasimodal, Jack_Joke, DirtyDogP and Nekraen, you will be receiving an invite to the campaign. All published content will be unlocked and you may post the Race and Class you wish to play here in this thread. I will not allow any races that can Fly or Swim. I will allow only 1 of each class. I do not want to decide for you what class you will be playing, so if two of you pick the same class, please work it out between you. If there is no compromise, then the first to post has precedence.
When you choose your race, please keep in mind the purpose of the module is to escape the Underdark to the surface. Your character/race has to have a reason to not want to be in the Underdark anymore and work with the other players/characters to successfully escape.
Hello, all! I'm eager to join forces with each of you. I'll stake my claim on the barbarian class, choosing mountain dwarf as my race.
Greetings! Beegred is a halfling Ranger.
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
I'm looking for ward to this. I'm going to play a half elf (drow) warlock.
(Is unearthed arcana allowed? Order cleric looks interesting)
(The "revised ranger" in UA has very different rules about favored enemies and terrain. If UA is allowed, I'd adjust my character... In general, UA is poorly balanced with the normal PHB classes.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
No UA. Only published content.
Hello everyone! Delmae is a half-elf wizard. If there are no objections, that's what she will be.
(Kk. Let me look a bit more then. I’ll do some kind of healer since we have a wizard, lock, ranger and barbarian so far)
For what it's worth, I'm also happy to play a rogue (probably a gnome of some sort) if we agree that particular skill set will be needed and/or if someone else really wants to take on the melee combat role.
CoffeeNoise - just a warning: Wizards are going to be one of the hardest classes to play at the beginning of this module. If you want to proceed anyway, prepare yourself to be very limited in what you can do.
Think I’ll go life domain hill dwarf cleric. If I’m gonna go healer, may as well do it right