PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE SKIPPING TO THE STORY PART!
I want to take a few lines here to help temper expectations about this game and how it is run here on the forums. Like an fyi so you have an idea of what to expect or things you are expected to do. Thank you! :)
- Asynchronous play. There is no set time to play, but the general expectation is you will do your best to post every 1-2 days. It's fine to miss a couple days, life happens and all, but if you can't commit to posting regularly, this is not the game for you.
- Expect to be skipped if you miss a lot. This is particularly true during combats. If I don't hear from you for a few days, you will simply be skipped. ADDENDUM:If you miss more than a few days without notice, I will simply remove you from the campaign. This isn't to be mean, but really to ease everyone's mental load, and possibly yours as well. If something is keeping you from posting, it's either because you just don't find the game fun anymore (valid) or life is too busy (also valid), so rather than everyone stressing over it, you'll just be dropped.
- Combat takes A LONG TIME. Even if everyone posts regularly, combat can really slow things down, so if/when that happens, try to make an extra effort to post as often as you can, so one combat doesn't drag out for 3 weeks.
- This particular adventure, if run live, could easily be done in a 4-hour session, so it is not a long adventure at all, but due to how forum adventures go, even with regular posting, it couldeasily take 1-2 months to finish. If you're looking for a quick, weekend adventure, this isn't it.
- Roleplay Heavy. This doesn't mean you have to post 5+ paragraphs every time, but RP is emphasized here over combat (see previous point about combat).
- Story, not character driven. This means there is a story to tell and we're going to stick to the story, even if you are the heroic adventurers.
Okay, whew, sorry about all that! You're welcome to message me about any of that if you want, but if you're still interested, the official recruitment bit is below!
NATURE VS NURTURE
Synposis: When the residents of a nearby town ignore her calls during a local festival, to care for the land their homes are built upon, a formerly peaceful druid prophesies their violent end.
Character creation:
Level 3 (2024 rules, expanded and 3rd party content allowed) NO HOMEBREW
Standard array or Point Buy for stats
Any starting basic equipment + 1 uncommon magic item
Leveling choice won't matter (you won't level up during the game), no encumbrance rules
I will take 4 players. This is really to keep things as streamlined as possible. If there is a lot of interest, I may try and run 2 games. Maybe. lol :)
For years, Ori a’Fleur has sought to be as those who care for the forest are. To do as they do. To grow as they grow. She can just never quite get anything right. Her mother tells her she has some of their Eladrin ancestor in her. Her father tells her … well, she imagine he would tell her something encouraging and profoundly wise, though what it might have been she changes in her mind from day to day.
Ori rises at dawn. She participates in the forest festivals and she does strange magics with the flowers around her, and brings strange seasons out of keeping with her world, to the forests, following voices and whispers Druids tell her aren’t quite of the natural world (but how can that be true when she finds them in the shadows and pools of the dark, leaf-dappled places). It must mean something, because the magic they whisper works, and she’ll keep on following it until she shows just how good a caretaker of the wilds she can be.
Sounds interesting - except for the 'Story Driven' part: Do you seriously mean to tell us that the players aren't allowed to do anything you haven't thought of? Worse, they can't ever fail to complete the mission in the way you've chosen?
Not at all. There is more than one way to end the story. There's more than one way to resolve the situation. But if you decide to play, you are agreeing to see the story through. It's like picking up Baldur's Gate. There is a story you're playing through, even if your actions affect the details and exact outcome. But you can't play Baldur's Gate and say "Well I don't like this story, I don't want this story, my character wants to go raise sheep in Scotland" and just expect the game to allow you to do that.
Could you find a unique way to respond to what's happening? Absolutely. Can you fail the mission "as intended"? Sure. What I won't do is take your specific backstory and create an entire narrative around it. I hope that makes sense.
I think this is opposed to you coming up with a character and backstory, then together we define goals for your character and then the game becomes about your character working toward those goals. This story is like a published adventure.
Cleggor grew up as a farmer in Mosstone, he had come from a long line of farmers and meant to continue the family tradition. He was exceedingly gifted with growing crops and surpassing the bounty of others with each harvest. He spent most all of his day outside, tending the plants and almost listening to the soil. He knew the value of the right kind of chemistry, occasionally using moss, peat, other bits and trade secrets to help with the growth of his plants. He began to venture out of town, to the giant shadow trees in the nearby forest, listening to the earth and the sound of nature that hummed in his ears.
On one such jaunt mid afternoon after finishing his work, he was sitting by a glade with a small stream, and he felt the presence of someone. His ears twitched and he turned to see another dwarf who was observing him. He had been watching him press his hands to the ground, breathe in the air, watched him as a doe came walking right through, without hardly lifting a finger he just watched and observed. The stranger cleared his throat and made himself known. That was the first day that Cleggor met a real, live Druid. And he started him down a path of learning, a path of hearing the subtle voices in the wood, of communion with animals and all of the little unobserved bits of nature. It was a day that completely changed the trajectory of his life.
He noted that his powers were the greatest when the moon was full. He began to notice that he understood the beasts of the earth, then one day, that he could transform into one of them. The dwarf who taught him his first steps on this path gave him a sickle that glowed like the moon as he said his goodbye to him, he left him with as much knowledge as he had of the land. He wanders along his path to try and put right the spots where man, elf, dwarf or other folk try to run roughshod over nature, over the way of things. He has heard rumors of brewing trouble in a town a couple of days walk from where he is, he is curious to learn more about another druid who is issuing warnings that are going unheeded..
Backstory (optional but nice): Ade helped the city guard investigate crimes, especially when magic seemed to be involved. Lately, the city walls started to feel stifling to him, so he struck beyond them to bring justice to what he could.
Backstory (optional but nice): Character based on the web novel "I Was a Sword When I Reincarnated"
Fran was a young slave being transported when wagon was attacked by a monster. The slave dealer ordered all his slaves to fight the monster while he tried to get away. While most were quickly dealt with, Fran spotted a sword stuck in the ground and pulled it out. This was a sentient sword that granted Fran magic and sword mastery. She was able to defeat the monster, but she was the only survivor of that encounter. Since then she has been traveling as a young monster hunter to get stronger. Thanks to the power and coaching granted by her sword, she's as capable as adult monster hunters.
Although Fran likes to fight, she does recognize that peaceful solutions are better. She does hate slavers though, and would be reluctant to work with them.
Character name: Orianne Featherwound Species: Human Class (and subclass): Artificer (Alchemist) Background: Sage Backstory (optional but nice): Orianne was from a relatively well-off family that lived in the area. Raised surrounded with books and tutors, she was eventually sent off to a prestigious school to study the arcane arts. She was a diligent student, finding interest in using the arcane to fuel her interests in alchemy and tinkering. While away, her family had fallen into disrepute, accused of all sorts of improper entanglements. The pressure was too much, and they ended up fleeing without word to anyone. Including Orianne. She didn't really believe her family had done anything wrong. But she had no real evidence either way. For a little while she stayed away, but recently she has returned to her former home. No longer with her family's support, she has to make her own way now.
As I undestand taking money as starting equipment and buying weapons and armor with it is okay. In this case I took 155 gold and bought hand crossbow (75), case with 20 bolts (2), armor (45), shortsword(10).
Or do I have to take pre-determined set of equpment?
Backstory (optional but nice): Pmurt was well-known as a someone who would swoop in when others were at their lowest point to provide much-needed gold coins at high rates of interest. He did this with the expectation that the recipient would not be able to repay the loan (which was a good bet since he was usually the one that instigated whatever trouble was leading to their downfall) at which point Pmurt would seize their livestock and land. Occasionally, he would build a gaudy building or use the fields be used as dumping grounds for some of his other properties. See, he was not a priest, oh no, but a property developer. Recognizing a threat to his business model by this do-gooder druid, Pmurt rushed to the town to defend the townspeople's commercial rights.
At a young age Ogrim was banished from his tribe for his lack of physical strength and martial prowess much to the disappointment of his parents. Alone and forgotten, Ogrim was thrown out into the wilderness with the simple promise that if he were to return, his tribe would slay him. Ogrim fought for survival, collecting berries and scavenging for forgotten meals left by larger predators. Eventually he would come across a caravan travelling through the woods, he watched in silence as the caravan was attacked and ambushed by a party of bandits. When the bandits discovered him nearby, they took him into their ranks, and he was thought to be a thief. Years later after leaving the bandits that offered him refuge, he now lives as a simple thief travelling between grand cities, surviving not off his inherited abilities as an orc, but rather of the skills thought to him by his fellow bandits.
(Sorry for posting twice and deleting the first post. I wasn't sure at first I could add another campaign, but I've made up my mind 😊)
Character name: Jadzia
Species: Air Genasi
Class (and subclass): Bard (Lore)
Background: Entertainer
Backstory: Raised by a troupe of traveling performers, Jadzia has always had a gift for captivating an audience. Whether through stories, music, or her natural charm, she knows just how to stir hearts and turn heads. Ever on the move—like the restless wind that dances around her—she drifts from town to town in search of the perfect tale and the perfect chord. She was never meant to sit still; guided by instinct and wanderlust, Jadzia follows wherever the wind leads, collecting songs, stories, and the people who inspire them.
Backstory (optional but nice): Duncan has never been one for violence. He can hold his own in a fight but he would much rather end things peacefully, or if it comes to it and a fight is unavoidable, spend as much time as he can making sure that those he is fighting with survive. To achieve this, he joined a local church (deity tbc depending on the gods in your world, but not overly important to the character) where he was indiscriminate with who he helped. When he heard of the druid's prophecy, he was determined to stop it to help everyone (the druid included) to live in harmony.
Backstory (optional but nice): Mean Merf isn't so mean once you get to know him. It's all a part of the act, a part of the mystique necessary to build a career as a professional wandering wrestler. Mean Merf growls at opponents, insults the crowd, and paces the ring with a permanent scowl, but when the crowd wanders off and the sun sets, the scowl is replaced with a wide grin and (believe it or not) a scuffed top hat while not-so-Mean Merf hits the taverns with his tips or performance fees. Itinerant wrestlers live with slim purses, so Mean Merf supplements the winnings with a little dungeon delving on the side, and he isn't averse to a stint in a kitchen or brewery if the opportunities for adventure become scarce.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE SKIPPING TO THE STORY PART!
I want to take a few lines here to help temper expectations about this game and how it is run here on the forums. Like an fyi so you have an idea of what to expect or things you are expected to do. Thank you! :)
- Asynchronous play. There is no set time to play, but the general expectation is you will do your best to post every 1-2 days. It's fine to miss a couple days, life happens and all, but if you can't commit to posting regularly, this is not the game for you.
- Expect to be skipped if you miss a lot. This is particularly true during combats. If I don't hear from you for a few days, you will simply be skipped. ADDENDUM: If you miss more than a few days without notice, I will simply remove you from the campaign. This isn't to be mean, but really to ease everyone's mental load, and possibly yours as well. If something is keeping you from posting, it's either because you just don't find the game fun anymore (valid) or life is too busy (also valid), so rather than everyone stressing over it, you'll just be dropped.
- Combat takes A LONG TIME. Even if everyone posts regularly, combat can really slow things down, so if/when that happens, try to make an extra effort to post as often as you can, so one combat doesn't drag out for 3 weeks.
- This particular adventure, if run live, could easily be done in a 4-hour session, so it is not a long adventure at all, but due to how forum adventures go, even with regular posting, it could easily take 1-2 months to finish. If you're looking for a quick, weekend adventure, this isn't it.
- Roleplay Heavy. This doesn't mean you have to post 5+ paragraphs every time, but RP is emphasized here over combat (see previous point about combat).
- Story, not character driven. This means there is a story to tell and we're going to stick to the story, even if you are the heroic adventurers.
Okay, whew, sorry about all that! You're welcome to message me about any of that if you want, but if you're still interested, the official recruitment bit is below!
NATURE VS NURTURE
Synposis: When the residents of a nearby town ignore her calls during a local festival, to care for the land their homes are built upon, a formerly peaceful druid prophesies their violent end.
Character creation:
Level 3 (2024 rules, expanded and 3rd party content allowed) NO HOMEBREW
Standard array or Point Buy for stats
Any starting basic equipment + 1 uncommon magic item
Leveling choice won't matter (you won't level up during the game), no encumbrance rules
Post the following:
Character name:
Species:
Class (and subclass):
Background:
Backstory (optional but nice):
This thread will close by 11:59pm (CST) on May 10, 2025.
I will take 4 players. This is really to keep things as streamlined as possible. If there is a lot of interest, I may try and run 2 games. Maybe. lol :)
Character name: Ori a’Fleur
Species: Wood Elf
Class (and subclass): Warlock (pact of the fey)
Background: Hermit
Backstory (optional but nice):
For years, Ori a’Fleur has sought to be as those who care for the forest are. To do as they do. To grow as they grow. She can just never quite get anything right. Her mother tells her she has some of their Eladrin ancestor in her. Her father tells her … well, she imagine he would tell her something encouraging and profoundly wise, though what it might have been she changes in her mind from day to day.
Ori rises at dawn. She participates in the forest festivals and she does strange magics with the flowers around her, and brings strange seasons out of keeping with her world, to the forests, following voices and whispers Druids tell her aren’t quite of the natural world (but how can that be true when she finds them in the shadows and pools of the dark, leaf-dappled places). It must mean something, because the magic they whisper works, and she’ll keep on following it until she shows just how good a caretaker of the wilds she can be.
Natural or otherwise.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/145823591/TdTAQw (Point buy)
Sounds interesting - except for the 'Story Driven' part: Do you seriously mean to tell us that the players aren't allowed to do anything you haven't thought of? Worse, they can't ever fail to complete the mission in the way you've chosen?
Not at all. There is more than one way to end the story. There's more than one way to resolve the situation. But if you decide to play, you are agreeing to see the story through. It's like picking up Baldur's Gate. There is a story you're playing through, even if your actions affect the details and exact outcome. But you can't play Baldur's Gate and say "Well I don't like this story, I don't want this story, my character wants to go raise sheep in Scotland" and just expect the game to allow you to do that.
Could you find a unique way to respond to what's happening? Absolutely. Can you fail the mission "as intended"? Sure. What I won't do is take your specific backstory and create an entire narrative around it. I hope that makes sense.
I think this is opposed to you coming up with a character and backstory, then together we define goals for your character and then the game becomes about your character working toward those goals. This story is like a published adventure.
I like the hook, throwing hat into ring.
Name : Cleggor Stonefield
Species : Dwarf
Class : Druid (Circle of the Moon)
Background : Farmer
Backstory :
Cleggor grew up as a farmer in Mosstone, he had come from a long line of farmers and meant to continue the family tradition. He was exceedingly gifted with growing crops and surpassing the bounty of others with each harvest. He spent most all of his day outside, tending the plants and almost listening to the soil. He knew the value of the right kind of chemistry, occasionally using moss, peat, other bits and trade secrets to help with the growth of his plants. He began to venture out of town, to the giant shadow trees in the nearby forest, listening to the earth and the sound of nature that hummed in his ears.
On one such jaunt mid afternoon after finishing his work, he was sitting by a glade with a small stream, and he felt the presence of someone. His ears twitched and he turned to see another dwarf who was observing him. He had been watching him press his hands to the ground, breathe in the air, watched him as a doe came walking right through, without hardly lifting a finger he just watched and observed. The stranger cleared his throat and made himself known. That was the first day that Cleggor met a real, live Druid. And he started him down a path of learning, a path of hearing the subtle voices in the wood, of communion with animals and all of the little unobserved bits of nature. It was a day that completely changed the trajectory of his life.
He noted that his powers were the greatest when the moon was full. He began to notice that he understood the beasts of the earth, then one day, that he could transform into one of them. The dwarf who taught him his first steps on this path gave him a sickle that glowed like the moon as he said his goodbye to him, he left him with as much knowledge as he had of the land. He wanders along his path to try and put right the spots where man, elf, dwarf or other folk try to run roughshod over nature, over the way of things. He has heard rumors of brewing trouble in a town a couple of days walk from where he is, he is curious to learn more about another druid who is issuing warnings that are going unheeded..
Character sheet : https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/138786172/zwqzBC
Character name: Ade Linchpin
Species: Human
Class (and subclass): Evocation Wizard
Background: Guard
Backstory (optional but nice): Ade helped the city guard investigate crimes, especially when magic seemed to be involved. Lately, the city walls started to feel stifling to him, so he struck beyond them to bring justice to what he could.
Character name: Fran
Species: Tabaxi
Class (and subclass): Warlock (Hexblade)
Background: Wafarer
Backstory (optional but nice): Character based on the web novel "I Was a Sword When I Reincarnated"
Fran was a young slave being transported when wagon was attacked by a monster. The slave dealer ordered all his slaves to fight the monster while he tried to get away. While most were quickly dealt with, Fran spotted a sword stuck in the ground and pulled it out. This was a sentient sword that granted Fran magic and sword mastery. She was able to defeat the monster, but she was the only survivor of that encounter. Since then she has been traveling as a young monster hunter to get stronger. Thanks to the power and coaching granted by her sword, she's as capable as adult monster hunters.
Although Fran likes to fight, she does recognize that peaceful solutions are better. She does hate slavers though, and would be reluctant to work with them.
Character name: Orianne Featherwound
Species: Human
Class (and subclass): Artificer (Alchemist)
Background: Sage
Backstory (optional but nice): Orianne was from a relatively well-off family that lived in the area. Raised surrounded with books and tutors, she was eventually sent off to a prestigious school to study the arcane arts. She was a diligent student, finding interest in using the arcane to fuel her interests in alchemy and tinkering. While away, her family had fallen into disrepute, accused of all sorts of improper entanglements. The pressure was too much, and they ended up fleeing without word to anyone. Including Orianne. She didn't really believe her family had done anything wrong. But she had no real evidence either way. For a little while she stayed away, but recently she has returned to her former home. No longer with her family's support, she has to make her own way now.
Character Sheet: Orianne Featherwound
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Character name: Cramaris Liner
Species: Elf, drow
Class (and subclass): Fighter, Champion
Background: Criminal
Backstory: Run away from Underdark after he realized he was sent on a suicide mission
Sheet: Cramaris Liner
As I undestand taking money as starting equipment and buying weapons and armor with it is okay. In this case I took 155 gold and bought hand crossbow (75), case with 20 bolts (2), armor (45), shortsword(10).
Or do I have to take pre-determined set of equpment?
Character name: Pmurt Panal
Species: Tiefling
Class (and subclass): Bard (Lore) (3)
Background: Merchant
Backstory (optional but nice): Pmurt was well-known as a someone who would swoop in when others were at their lowest point to provide much-needed gold coins at high rates of interest. He did this with the expectation that the recipient would not be able to repay the loan (which was a good bet since he was usually the one that instigated whatever trouble was leading to their downfall) at which point Pmurt would seize their livestock and land. Occasionally, he would build a gaudy building or use the fields be used as dumping grounds for some of his other properties. See, he was not a priest, oh no, but a property developer. Recognizing a threat to his business model by this do-gooder druid, Pmurt rushed to the town to defend the townspeople's commercial rights.
You are welcome to modify your starting equipment however you wish, as long as it is all basic equipment! :)
Great applications so far! I'll give it a few more days just in case but thank you everyone who's applied so far!
Character sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/145922224
Character name: Ogrim Blackhand
Species: Orc
Class (and subclass): Rouge/Thief
Background: Criminal
Backstory (optional but nice):
At a young age Ogrim was banished from his tribe for his lack of physical strength and martial prowess much to the disappointment of his parents. Alone and forgotten, Ogrim was thrown out into the wilderness with the simple promise that if he were to return, his tribe would slay him. Ogrim fought for survival, collecting berries and scavenging for forgotten meals left by larger predators. Eventually he would come across a caravan travelling through the woods, he watched in silence as the caravan was attacked and ambushed by a party of bandits. When the bandits discovered him nearby, they took him into their ranks, and he was thought to be a thief. Years later after leaving the bandits that offered him refuge, he now lives as a simple thief travelling between grand cities, surviving not off his inherited abilities as an orc, but rather of the skills thought to him by his fellow bandits.
Hi
(Sorry for posting twice and deleting the first post. I wasn't sure at first I could add another campaign, but I've made up my mind 😊)
Character name: Jadzia
Species: Air Genasi
Class (and subclass): Bard (Lore)
Background: Entertainer
Backstory: Raised by a troupe of traveling performers, Jadzia has always had a gift for captivating an audience. Whether through stories, music, or her natural charm, she knows just how to stir hearts and turn heads. Ever on the move—like the restless wind that dances around her—she drifts from town to town in search of the perfect tale and the perfect chord. She was never meant to sit still; guided by instinct and wanderlust, Jadzia follows wherever the wind leads, collecting songs, stories, and the people who inspire them.
Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/145867363
Uncommon object: Fochlucan Bandore (I'm assuming proficiency with a Lute is enough, since there are no bandores in the musical instrument list)
Character Art:
Art by Adelcreates
Thanks!
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra | Jadzia
Sounds interesting (and I am fine with the FYIs)
Character name: Duncan Crawley
Species: Human (extra origin feat - Healer)
Class (and subclass): Cleric (Life Domain)
Background: Acolyte
Backstory (optional but nice): Duncan has never been one for violence. He can hold his own in a fight but he would much rather end things peacefully, or if it comes to it and a fight is unavoidable, spend as much time as he can making sure that those he is fighting with survive. To achieve this, he joined a local church (deity tbc depending on the gods in your world, but not overly important to the character) where he was indiscriminate with who he helped. When he heard of the druid's prophecy, he was determined to stop it to help everyone (the druid included) to live in harmony.
(I will make some art on Heroforge if accepted)
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/146003554/LCzlvv
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Character name: Mean Merf
Species: Mountain Dwarf
Class (and subclass): Fighter (Battlemaster)
Background: Athlete
Backstory (optional but nice): Mean Merf isn't so mean once you get to know him. It's all a part of the act, a part of the mystique necessary to build a career as a professional wandering wrestler. Mean Merf growls at opponents, insults the crowd, and paces the ring with a permanent scowl, but when the crowd wanders off and the sun sets, the scowl is replaced with a wide grin and (believe it or not) a scuffed top hat while not-so-Mean Merf hits the taverns with his tips or performance fees. Itinerant wrestlers live with slim purses, so Mean Merf supplements the winnings with a little dungeon delving on the side, and he isn't averse to a stint in a kitchen or brewery if the opportunities for adventure become scarce.
Character sheet:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/64128933
****ass piece of shits **** you for your biased favouritism and **** off whats the point of doing all of this for nothing
Quick reminder this recruitment ends today, invites will go out tomorrow at some point. Thank you all, looks good so far! :)