It's a cold winter's Evening in the city of Waterdeep. The streets are empty a bit earlier than the rest of the year as the snow begins to fall once again across the city for another evening. The roads are icy, the pavements covered with about three feet of snow that have been trodden on, and most of the foot traffic is around a building towards the centre of the city. Patrons and vendors of the trades ward and the south part of the Castle Ward are gathered, along with a variety of different figures, within the Yawning Portal. Owned by a man of few words named Durnan, the Yawning Portal got its name for the giant forty-foot wide well that goes into the cities depths, and one of the few entrances into Undermountain.
While outside the cold air is biting, within the Yawning Portal, Durnan has set up the hearth and the atmosphere is one of a busy tavern, and it's a respite from the cold that everybody needs. Walking around the Tavern in an apron and in rather simple clothes is a woman who is picking up glasses with a variety of patrons. Nobody is currently surrounding the well, but there is a small group, all sitting around a table sharing a drink.
OOC: This thread will take us through both Waterdeep Campaigns, all the way through. If your interested then please feel free to leave a post below (this will be a private game looking for 4-8 players). Feel free to post the introduction of your character as you do so, and we'll be starting in the Yawning Portal - you can start inside or outside, that's your choice, but once people have responded, I'll continue the story further. Looking for 4/5 players at this point. You guys will set the pace but looking for people to post at least once a week to keep things moving (I'll try and respond within 3 days to anything that requires my attention).
OOC: What's your DMing experience in PlayByPost style? This seems to be your first post. While DMing is DMing, the medium is very different here. People may be from different time zones and so on.
OOC: Hey Winenose. This is my first post on the D&D beyond forums, however, I actually got into roleplaying games through play-by-post games - and have been playing on other sites and genres for more than 10 years.
I'm a long-time role player but a newbie to this platform and I'm looking for a PbP game to play in preparation for possibly running my own homebrew PbP campaign in a couple of months, when I have more time on my hands. I'm a writer and am more interested in role playing rather than combat, but happy to do the latter if it fits in with the goals of my character (Note: Having run my own homebrew, table-based campaign world for most of my role playing career, I am unfamiliar with the Waterdeep Campaign, if that is relevant).
Having introduced myself, what follows is the introduction for my 1st level Dwarven character: Tyrus Mountson.
---
The door opens and a short, bald-headed man—no a tall, but thin, dwarf—looks in through the door. The newcomer has the appearance of an tradesman, but he is clearly new to the town. Perhaps he is a travelling merchant or some sort of itinerant worker.
After taking a look around the taproom, he looks back outside into the darkness before brushing snow off the heavy woollen coat he is wearing. He then visibly shrugs and calls out to the nearest person, asking if there is anywhere that he can stable his mule.
---
The above is pretty obscure I know, but the character isn't going to announce his class or anything like that, but he is very much aware of the responsibility inherent in his equipment list.
Simmyish, If you're interested in finding out more about Tyrus, I can either send you a PDF of his character or provide you with a link to his character sheet on D&D Beyond.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Arlon walked into the Yawning Portal, happy to be out of the biting cold. Just in time he thought, can't feel my toes anymore.
Scanning the crowd he saw a few of the regular patrons but decided to go for the bar. His master's contact wasn't here yet.
Still shivering and clutching his robes thigher around himself, he pushed his way forward, taking care not to spill any drinks. There were things you just didn't do.
The barkep nodded to him in recognition then waited for him to get his order.
"Just a glass of Elven Icewine please." he said, then added with a smile, "I wouldn't want to get to warm." His joke was lost on the barman who just moved away o get his drink.
Damn, I ll never get him to even smile.
-----
Hello Simmyish, I would be interested to play. Do you want me to PM you my character ?
Just a few questions: How are you going to select characters, how do we roll stats, is anything prohibited ?
Wind sat at a corner table watching as people came in. Occasionally he would sip the red wine that was in a goblet in front of him. In his right paw he held a smooth stone. He worked it around and around in his paw. He would drop it into a small pouch and then pull it out again without even thinking.
When the tall dwarf entered he smiled a bit to himself. He might be interested in rolling dice with him, who knows? Then a robed man walks in. Him, he wasn't so sure.
He continued to sit and watch and wait for the crowd to grow bigger. It always did...
Briga walks into the Yawning Portal, likely catching some stares. A human woman in her late teens, she stands at over 6 feet in height. She wears fashionable but moderately priced clothes of local design, what others would consider summer wear, odd to see in the heart of winter -an asymmetrical skirt, practical boots and a loose fitting shirt, the most esoteric article being a polar bear head and pelt, fashioned into a cowl and cloak. Between the locks of blond hair hanging loose from the cowl, the icy blue eyes, and the fact that she seems far less disturbed by the cold than others, it's a safe bet that she hails from the Icewind Dale region to the north of Waterdeep. She also visibly carries a glaive, somewhat of an oddity in the urban environs of Waterdeep, and the arm of a crossbow visible pokes out of her bulging backpack.
The tall woman looks for a table with two free chairs, sits down on one, places her backpack down on the other, and seems to go through her things as if taking inventory. After counting her coins, she smugly asks one of the serving girls if they can give change for "one whole gold piece" and orders a drink. "Something with alcohol, please. I'm celebrating."
As you go about your various business having your drinks, the music and the chatter is suddenly eclipsed by a shout, which brings silence to the tavern.
"Ya pig! Like killing me mates, does ya?" shouts a male human voice. In the next moment, a seven-foot-tall half-orc is hit by a wild swinging punch from a male human, whose shaved head is covered in eye-shaped tattoos. Behind him, are four other humans, ready to join the fight if things get ugly. The half-orc stands up, cracks her knuckles, and leaps at the tattooed figure, and almost instantly a crowd of spectators gathers around the commotion, blocking your view of the fight.
[OOC: DM: The locations of each of my possessions shows up on my D&D Beyond character sheet. Also, how much will stabling my mule cost for the night?]
Having left his mule and some of his larger possessions in a nearby stable, Tyrus wearily enters the tavern carrying his backpack in his hands.
Hearing the sounds of a barroom brawl—something he has seen many times in his travellings—he makes his way around the edges of the room looking for either the fire so he can warm his chilled bones or somewhere he can get some cheap hot food.
// readied action: the dodge maneuver to stay out of the fight //
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Are y'all full up? I'd love to play a paladin Ability scores: 111410121313)
Griffdar, a large heavily armored black scaled dragonborn sits in the corner with an usually large tankard of ale. He sees the fight start out. He stands up. Slams the rest of his drink, wipes his maw, and heads toward the scuffle.
[OOC: First time using the die roller, so apologies if I stuff it up.]
Not sure whether this needs to be secret, but since yours was, I'll make the roll secret as well.
Intelligence Roll: 19
[OOC: Tyrus is down on his luck and, considering the price he's been quoted, may not be able to pay for his own food and lodging. Therefore, I'd like to make a Persuasion roll to help with the following negotiation. (Persuasion Roll: 7)]
Five shards for stabling is more than Tyrus wants to pay.
"I'm a travelling tinker by trade," he tells the barkeep. "So I'm willing to pay for the stabling of my mule and some food and a place for the night by the hearth for myself by doing some fixing work around this place."
Then he adds, "I'm also a member of the locksmithing guild. So, if you've got any locks that need fixing or maintaining, I can help you there too."
For Tyrus and those who live in Waterdeep already:
No worries, doesn't matter either way - it was more just to see if you would know the coinage in Waterdeep not being local (those who are local would know this automatically as they would associate it that way). If you know as player info already, great, if not keep reading :)
WATERDEEP LORE - The Coins of Waterdeep
Here's what Waterdavians call the different coinage:
Taols and Harbor moons only have these values within the city of Waterdeep, and are worth much less outside of the city. Most places only accept coinage minted in Waterdeep or other member states of the Lords Alliance. For the sake of this adventure, this would have been done before the story started so just a little bit of lore that your character would know.
The barkeep, Durnan, looked at the dwarf with a blank expression and said bluntly "5 shards for renting a stable, but for doing some work I'll give you a room and something to eat and drink."
As the crowd continues to gather around the fight in progress, the crowd starts cheering and there is the occasional off-hand bet as to who will win. By the time Griffdar has forced himself to the front of the crowd the human is buried under the half-orc woman and trying to wriggle himself from under her pin. There are four other thugs who look ready to pounce on the half-orc when their boss is either knocked unconscious, which looks like it might happen sooner rather than later, or has gotten himself to safety.
Tyrus has obviously been out in the cold too long and is feeling too tired to haggle properly.
"I'll take you up on that offer, if you've got change for a dragon," he says to the barkeep while fishing out a gold coin. "But can I get some of that food first though, I'm stiff and cold from the icy wind outside and will need something warm in my belly before I can do any proper work."
While the barkeep gets his change, Tyrus turns and looks at the crowd surrounding the fight in the middle of the taproom.
"Did I hear something about orcs?" he asks as the barkeep hands him his change.
[OOC: I have modified the character sheet appropriately for this exchange, and have assumed he gets 5 sp as the change.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
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It's a cold winter's Evening in the city of Waterdeep. The streets are empty a bit earlier than the rest of the year as the snow begins to fall once again across the city for another evening. The roads are icy, the pavements covered with about three feet of snow that have been trodden on, and most of the foot traffic is around a building towards the centre of the city. Patrons and vendors of the trades ward and the south part of the Castle Ward are gathered, along with a variety of different figures, within the Yawning Portal. Owned by a man of few words named Durnan, the Yawning Portal got its name for the giant forty-foot wide well that goes into the cities depths, and one of the few entrances into Undermountain.
While outside the cold air is biting, within the Yawning Portal, Durnan has set up the hearth and the atmosphere is one of a busy tavern, and it's a respite from the cold that everybody needs. Walking around the Tavern in an apron and in rather simple clothes is a woman who is picking up glasses with a variety of patrons. Nobody is currently surrounding the well, but there is a small group, all sitting around a table sharing a drink.
OOC: This thread will take us through both Waterdeep Campaigns, all the way through. If your interested then please feel free to leave a post below (this will be a private game looking for 4-8 players). Feel free to post the introduction of your character as you do so, and we'll be starting in the Yawning Portal - you can start inside or outside, that's your choice, but once people have responded, I'll continue the story further. Looking for 4/5 players at this point. You guys will set the pace but looking for people to post at least once a week to keep things moving (I'll try and respond within 3 days to anything that requires my attention).
OOC: What's your DMing experience in PlayByPost style? This seems to be your first post. While DMing is DMing, the medium is very different here. People may be from different time zones and so on.
OOC: Hey Winenose. This is my first post on the D&D beyond forums, however, I actually got into roleplaying games through play-by-post games - and have been playing on other sites and genres for more than 10 years.
Hi Simmyish.
Are you still looking for players?
I'm a long-time role player but a newbie to this platform and I'm looking for a PbP game to play in preparation for possibly running my own homebrew PbP campaign in a couple of months, when I have more time on my hands. I'm a writer and am more interested in role playing rather than combat, but happy to do the latter if it fits in with the goals of my character (Note: Having run my own homebrew, table-based campaign world for most of my role playing career, I am unfamiliar with the Waterdeep Campaign, if that is relevant).
Having introduced myself, what follows is the introduction for my 1st level Dwarven character: Tyrus Mountson.
---
The door opens and a short, bald-headed man—no a tall, but thin, dwarf—looks in through the door. The newcomer has the appearance of an tradesman, but he is clearly new to the town. Perhaps he is a travelling merchant or some sort of itinerant worker.
After taking a look around the taproom, he looks back outside into the darkness before brushing snow off the heavy woollen coat he is wearing. He then visibly shrugs and calls out to the nearest person, asking if there is anywhere that he can stable his mule.
---
The above is pretty obscure I know, but the character isn't going to announce his class or anything like that, but he is very much aware of the responsibility inherent in his equipment list.
Simmyish, If you're interested in finding out more about Tyrus, I can either send you a PDF of his character or provide you with a link to his character sheet on D&D Beyond.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Arlon walked into the Yawning Portal, happy to be out of the biting cold. Just in time he thought, can't feel my toes anymore.
Scanning the crowd he saw a few of the regular patrons but decided to go for the bar. His master's contact wasn't here yet.
Still shivering and clutching his robes thigher around himself, he pushed his way forward, taking care not to spill any drinks. There were things you just didn't do.
The barkep nodded to him in recognition then waited for him to get his order.
"Just a glass of Elven Icewine please." he said, then added with a smile, "I wouldn't want to get to warm." His joke was lost on the barman who just moved away o get his drink.
Damn, I ll never get him to even smile.
-----
Hello Simmyish, I would be interested to play. Do you want me to PM you my character ?
Just a few questions: How are you going to select characters, how do we roll stats, is anything prohibited ?
Wind sat at a corner table watching as people came in. Occasionally he would sip the red wine that was in a goblet in front of him. In his right paw he held a smooth stone. He worked it around and around in his paw. He would drop it into a small pouch and then pull it out again without even thinking.
When the tall dwarf entered he smiled a bit to himself. He might be interested in rolling dice with him, who knows? Then a robed man walks in. Him, he wasn't so sure.
He continued to sit and watch and wait for the crowd to grow bigger. It always did...
OOC:
Are you still open for players? If so I'll join. Let me know if I'm approved before I "enter the scene."
Name: Borja
Race: Human (Variant)
Place of Origin: Reghed Glacier
Place of Residence: Waterdeep
Gender: Female
Background/Occupation: Urban Bounty Hunter
Class: Barbarian 1
Stats:
Str 16 +3 (9 Point Buy for 15, +1 Racial)
Con 14 +2 (7 Point Buy)
Dex 14 +2 (5 Point Buy for 13, +1 Racial)
Int 10 +0 (2 Point Buy)
Wis 10 +0 (2 Point Buy)
Cha 10 +0 (2 Point Buy)
Trained Saves:
Str +5
Con +4
Trained Skills:
Insight +2 (BG)
Persuasion +2 (BG)
Athletics +5 (Class)
Perception +2 (Class)
Investigate +2 (Race)
Trained Tools:
Thieves Tools (BG)
Bagpipes (BG)
Feats:
Polearm Master (Variant Human)
HP: 14
Move: 30
Init: +2
AC: 14
Equipment:
Glaive (Class)
Light Crossbow (Class)
Explorerer's Pack (Class)
Javelin x4 (Class)
Urban Bounty Hunter Clothes (BG)
Pouch with 20 GP (BG)
13
12
15
22
10
16
OOC:
I was asked to roll my stats with 4d6 drop the lowest rather than using Point Buy.
9
15
17
17
12
8
Here are the changes to my character resulting from that:
Name: Briga
Race: Human (Variant)
Place of Origin: Reghed Glacier
Place of Residence: Waterdeep
Gender: Female
Background/Occupation: Urban Bounty Hunter
Class: Barbarian 1
Alignment: Neutral Good
Stats:
9
15
17
17
12
8
Str 18 +4 (17+1 Racial)
Con 18 +4 (17+1 Racial)
Dex 15 +2
Int 9 -1
Wis 12 +1
Cha 8 -1
Trained Saves:
Str +6
Con +6
Trained Skills:
Insight +3 (BG)
Stealth +4 (BG)
Athletics +6 (Class)
Perception +3 (Class)
Acrobatics +4 (Race)
Trained Tools:
Thieves Tools (BG)
Bagpipes (BG)
Feats:
Polearm Master (Variant Human)
HP: 16
Move: 30
Init: +2
AC: 16
Hit Dice: 1d12+4
Equipment:
Glaive (Class)
Light Crossbow (Class)
Explorer's Pack (Class)
Javelin x4 (Class)
Urban Bounty Hunter Clothes (BG)
Pouch with 20 GP (BG)
Let me know if I missed this up, getting used to the program. First time with PBP
Briga walks into the Yawning Portal, likely catching some stares. A human woman in her late teens, she stands at over 6 feet in height. She wears fashionable but moderately priced clothes of local design, what others would consider summer wear, odd to see in the heart of winter -an asymmetrical skirt, practical boots and a loose fitting shirt, the most esoteric article being a polar bear head and pelt, fashioned into a cowl and cloak. Between the locks of blond hair hanging loose from the cowl, the icy blue eyes, and the fact that she seems far less disturbed by the cold than others, it's a safe bet that she hails from the Icewind Dale region to the north of Waterdeep. She also visibly carries a glaive, somewhat of an oddity in the urban environs of Waterdeep, and the arm of a crossbow visible pokes out of her bulging backpack.
The tall woman looks for a table with two free chairs, sits down on one, places her backpack down on the other, and seems to go through her things as if taking inventory. After counting her coins, she smugly asks one of the serving girls if they can give change for "one whole gold piece" and orders a drink. "Something with alcohol, please. I'm celebrating."
As you go about your various business having your drinks, the music and the chatter is suddenly eclipsed by a shout, which brings silence to the tavern.
"Ya pig! Like killing me mates, does ya?" shouts a male human voice. In the next moment, a seven-foot-tall half-orc is hit by a wild swinging punch from a male human, whose shaved head is covered in eye-shaped tattoos. Behind him, are four other humans, ready to join the fight if things get ugly. The half-orc stands up, cracks her knuckles, and leaps at the tattooed figure, and almost instantly a crowd of spectators gathers around the commotion, blocking your view of the fight.
What do you do?
Arlon looks up a bit and gets ready to act if the fight spils toward him.
He glances around to see if the bouncers are coming to intervene.
// ready action to cast a spell//
[OOC: DM: The locations of each of my possessions shows up on my D&D Beyond character sheet. Also, how much will stabling my mule cost for the night?]
Having left his mule and some of his larger possessions in a nearby stable, Tyrus wearily enters the tavern carrying his backpack in his hands.
Hearing the sounds of a barroom brawl—something he has seen many times in his travellings—he makes his way around the edges of the room looking for either the fire so he can warm his chilled bones or somewhere he can get some cheap hot food.
// readied action: the dodge maneuver to stay out of the fight //
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
The barkeep nods as you ask for somewhere to keep your horse and straight "stables are 5 shards for the day"
For Tyrus eyes:
Having travelled the Sword Coast, there's a chance you've been in Waterdeep before. Recall with an Intelligence check.
(Are y'all full up? I'd love to play a paladin Ability scores: 11 14 10 12 13 13)
Griffdar, a large heavily armored black scaled dragonborn sits in the corner with an usually large tankard of ale. He sees the fight start out. He stands up. Slams the rest of his drink, wipes his maw, and heads toward the scuffle.
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
[OOC: First time using the die roller, so apologies if I stuff it up.]
Not sure whether this needs to be secret, but since yours was, I'll make the roll secret as well.
Intelligence Roll: 19
[OOC: Tyrus is down on his luck and, considering the price he's been quoted, may not be able to pay for his own food and lodging. Therefore, I'd like to make a Persuasion roll to help with the following negotiation. (Persuasion Roll: 7)]
Five shards for stabling is more than Tyrus wants to pay.
"I'm a travelling tinker by trade," he tells the barkeep. "So I'm willing to pay for the stabling of my mule and some food and a place for the night by the hearth for myself by doing some fixing work around this place."
Then he adds, "I'm also a member of the locksmithing guild. So, if you've got any locks that need fixing or maintaining, I can help you there too."
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
For Tyrus and those who live in Waterdeep already:
No worries, doesn't matter either way - it was more just to see if you would know the coinage in Waterdeep not being local (those who are local would know this automatically as they would associate it that way). If you know as player info already, great, if not keep reading :)
WATERDEEP LORE - The Coins of Waterdeep
Here's what Waterdavians call the different coinage:
1 Copper = 1 Nib
1 Silver = 1 Shard
2 Gold = 1 Taol
1 Gold = 1 Dragon
1 Platinum = 1 Sun
5 Platinum = 1 Harbor Moon
Taols and Harbor moons only have these values within the city of Waterdeep, and are worth much less outside of the city. Most places only accept coinage minted in Waterdeep or other member states of the Lords Alliance. For the sake of this adventure, this would have been done before the story started so just a little bit of lore that your character would know.
The barkeep, Durnan, looked at the dwarf with a blank expression and said bluntly "5 shards for renting a stable, but for doing some work I'll give you a room and something to eat and drink."
As the crowd continues to gather around the fight in progress, the crowd starts cheering and there is the occasional off-hand bet as to who will win. By the time Griffdar has forced himself to the front of the crowd the human is buried under the half-orc woman and trying to wriggle himself from under her pin. There are four other thugs who look ready to pounce on the half-orc when their boss is either knocked unconscious, which looks like it might happen sooner rather than later, or has gotten himself to safety.
Griffdar Goodwar steps between the crew and the scuffle. “Problem gentlemen?” He snarls
intimidation:11
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Tyrus has obviously been out in the cold too long and is feeling too tired to haggle properly.
"I'll take you up on that offer, if you've got change for a dragon," he says to the barkeep while fishing out a gold coin. "But can I get some of that food first though, I'm stiff and cold from the icy wind outside and will need something warm in my belly before I can do any proper work."
While the barkeep gets his change, Tyrus turns and looks at the crowd surrounding the fight in the middle of the taproom.
"Did I hear something about orcs?" he asks as the barkeep hands him his change.
[OOC: I have modified the character sheet appropriately for this exchange, and have assumed he gets 5 sp as the change.]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.