Hey all,

I'm looking for a few interested souls willing to test out a short dungeon I created. This would be "one shot" in length, for sure.

I need 3 or 4 players to run the dungeon. I am going to be selective and biased towards those who:

1. appear to be engaged on the forums and can be counted on to see this very short episode through to its conclusion, and not ghost us
2. have a spark for roleplay and to bring something fun, or dramatic, or interesting to the proceedings, so that it's not just a nuts-and-bolts game of rolling dice

For the purposes of this exercise, I'll ask that you create a level 3 character of any background, class, etc. New character rules vs old rules is fine. Let's keep things simple with a standard array for stats. Your characters, for reasons unknown (and honestly unimportant at this time) will find themselves magically and mysteriously transported into this dungeon. What your character was up to at the time, how they react, etc, can be up to you, though I'm going to assume the character will be invested to some degree in teamwork, adventurism, and generally would not be obstructionist.

To apply, post your character in this thread. Some backstory can be fun but remember the scope of this project and realize that it probably doesn't need to be too intense. Also as part of your application, please indicate whether you would like this puzzle dungeon to include combat, or be devoid of combat. It can be run either way.

What you can expect from me is usually 1-3 posts per day under normal circumstances, depending on what the player characters are up to. I'm hoping for daily engagement from the players. I don't think battle maps will be necessary for this episode.

I look forward to your applications, and I hope that we can find a good match.

Aulderoot 

Link

Stygian shade (formerly a forest gnome)
Warlock- Archfey Patron (Raven Queen?)
Acolyte background (devoted to a deity of magic)

  Exploration both external and internal, Leif is dead his memory is gone, but there is something unfinished.  Death is just the beginning… and this is Aulderoot’s story.

  Hello I’m HunterOrien I’ve been a player and a DM I won’t ghost and I love RP.  As for combat it definitely slows down the story in PBP it’s still the best impartial way of resolving a fight, but if you have other ideas I’m intrigued.  I’m on everyday and will if appropriate post 2-3 times.

Thanks for the opportunity for adventure.

I'd be interested. Will be editing this for a submission as soon as I have time. I love exploration, puzzles and combat. 

• Link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/144215369
• Name: Merry Clover
• Species: Gifted Umbral Human
• Class: Rogue (Grim Surgeon)
• Role: Skill monkey with emergency heals
• Background: Ruined with Skilled
• Backstory (in a nutshell): He's been field surgeon in an invading force that was responsible for uncounted atrocities in their wake. While he had only healed, he had been part of it, undeniably. Ultimately, the entire army was wiped out by the wrath of a god but he was given a second chance, or so it seemed. He woke to next to a clover and felt merry for being alive. Knowing nothing about his previous self, he assumed the name Merry Clover. His muscle memory and unconsciousness remembers, though, that he was a skilled surgeon who knows how to heal and how to hurt.
• Appearance: see spoiler

Great, I'm excited to see Cyreon back, of course, and glad at the chance to play with HunterOrien, as well. I think it would be best to get 1 or 2 more players and then we can dive right in.

Question: What starting equipment we will be using? Just standard or anything extra from our previous occupation (gold/items)?

Standard equipment and, if you like, you can be allowed an extra 200 gold which can be applied to whatever more gear you'd like, assuming standard costs. 

Would potions/scrolls be allowed to be purchased?

Quote from HunterOrien >>

Would potions/scrolls be allowed to be purchased?

 Sure!

And since no one else seems interested, how would the 2 of you feel about one of the following options:

1. just keep looking for a 3rd player to join

2. each of you runs a sidekick

3. add a 3rd player than either you co-pilot or else I pilot it (won't contribute intellectually, just will help out generally like if you ask for help or something)

I would be game to be a third player,  I can throw a character together. Cyreon and I have been in a few campaigns together before, and I was in one with HunterOrien as well but that was awhile ago.

Merle Drake

V. Human Monk (4 elements)

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/144646776

Backstory: Merle always was one to focus on his own, living a life mostly on his own little farm. One with nature, he uses his knowledge and understanding of the elements to help those around him. His adventuring days are behind him but he was still in shape and mind to lend assistance for thise in need.

Happy to offer a 4th character too (And I also am involved in a few campaigns with both Cyreon and Beard). 

Poppy Darkmantle (Art tbc): https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/144658707/TLlxCR

2024 rules - Human Lore Bard (A healing skill monkey like Cyreon. But done differently)

Backstory: Poppy longs to be a famous bard. She has the skills with loads of instruments that she has mastered, but what she lacks is original content. So to find it she decided to seek out an adventure. Before she was able to however, the adventure sought her out and she was magically transported to the dungeon.

Ok guys!

Ive got some stuff going on today so take today to choose a number:

0 - no combat

1 - light combat

2 - all the combat

and get your characters situated with the extra stuff as desired because of prior adventuring success and we can plan on putting this together and getting going later this evening.

(2) I would just go with all the combat. I'm pretty available for posting and I don't think I would slow down the game too much during combats. 

Any. Happy to say 2, but if we can be creative it might be avoided. (though if people are anti combat, I won't be upset to not have to do combat) 

I would agree with 2, makes stakes a bit higher!

Also fine if we go no combat.

Awesome. I'll be honest, I'm worried it would be a bit dry without combat.

THE ADVENTURE STARTS HERE.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You wake up.

Strange, you can't quite recall falling asleep. Memories slide away like dreams that rapidly evaporate out of your mind. Foremost among those fading impressions is a loud noise, like a great roaring beast, a sound to shake you to your core, but now only a rapidly dissipating echo in your mind.

As consciousness blooms in you like a lit fire, you rapidly become aware of several things: you are lying on a gray stone floor, and you are in possession of all your gear. You are in a large room of uniform gray stone, with a flat stone ceiling high above, nearly lost in shadow, probably more than 30 or 40 feet high. The room is lit by multiple burning torches set on the walls at regular intervals. The room is quite large, about 100x100 feet, and shaped like a octagon. That is, there are 8 segments of walls, forming 135-degree corners, all arranged symmetrically into an octagon shape. The torches are found in the corners. One wall is interrupted by a large stone arch, where a passage leads out of the octagonal room into darkness.

Looking around, you also see that you are not alone. There are four of you, each in seemingly a similar situation, just waking up and getting up off the ground and looking around. One of your vague memories is telling you that these others are your friends, that you somehow belong together, that you are in this predicament together somehow. But where are you? What have you gotten yourself into now...?

( You are all together in this large octagonal room with little memory of what came before, but with a sense of trust in these others that you find here with you. What now? )

Merle sits up rubbing his temple. "Well I thought waking up without knowing how I got here were behind me. At least this time I have more clothes on then before." Looking around at the confused look on everyone's face, Merle steels himself, focus on situation at hand. He stands up and adjusts his straps, then squatting down to pick up his quarterstaff lying on the floor. He pulls out a few leaves from a pouch on his side and runs them down the length of the staff, a slight greenish glow trailing behind his hand as he whispers under his breath (Shillelagh). A slight grin crosses his face as he is relieved that still works. Definitely better then last time...

Alderoot gets up on his feet, he checks his gear.  Noticing familiar faces he breathes a deep sigh, not alone.  As Merle pulls leaves from a pouch, a yearning awakens a memory of smoking a pipe.  There are a few minutes where everything seems fine but as time passes a strange void becomes evident, who am I, where am I?

”Friend sorry do you know where we are?  I’m a bit disoriented, can you ah fill in any gaps I’m at a loss.”

Almost as a reflex Alderoot taps into Shadow armor and Fiendish vigor fortifying himself.

Merry blinks awake and sucks in a quick breath, half expecting the roar still echoing in his mind to rumble through the chamber. Instead, he finds himself sprawled on cold stone, a loyal warmth pressed against his side. Bernard, his steadfast St. Bernard, seems utterly calm despite the unsettling circumstances, his massive form blocking a draft and offering quiet comfort. In the flickering torchlight, Merry takes a moment to gather himself. Memories slip away like wisps of mist; he senses the others stirring, and there’s a distant familiarity to them, as though they’ve traveled many roads together, even if he can’t recall exactly when or how.

Slowly pushing himself upright, Merry pats down his gear with methodical efficiency. His ashen-brown hair falls around a face perpetually etched with faint shadows—a subtle hint of his Umbral lineage. The battered leather armor that hugs his frame still holds each of his concealed scalpels, as well as the coils of his whip at his hip. Bernard’s ears perk up when Merry shifts, the gentle dog picking himself up to stand protectively by his side. Merry offers him a reassuring scratch behind one floppy ear. Aside from being a beast of warmth and heart, Bernard often bears most of Merry’s supplies, and it’s a relief to see the dog’s carefully fitted pouches still securely fastened.

Focusing on the others, Merry notes Merle’s casual mastery of druidic magic and Alderoot’s uneasy stance. Their confusion mirrors his own, yet the trust he feels is strangely undeniable. “I’m afraid my memory’s a jumble as well,” he answers Alderoot, a faint apology in his subdued voice. “But whatever led us here, let’s figure it out together. Bernard and I are with you.” His gaze slips around the octagonal room, searching for clues. Though his heart thrums with a quiet dread, he forces a small, reassuring smile.