I recently reread the Rise of the Runelords adventure path, and got inspired to run it. Since much of my free time is taken up by live games of D&D, this one has to be a play-by-post. A few notes about this campaign:
2024: We will primarily be using the revised 2024 rules of D&D 5e. Subclasses from the following 2014 books are allowed: Player's Handbook, Xanathar's, and Tasha's; but if a 2024 version of something exists, that version must be used. I will share all the allowed books in the campaign.
Species Available: This campaign is set in the world of Golarion, where Pathfinder games typically are set. Dragonborn and goliaths are not available as species options, as they simply do not exist in the setting. The remaining eight species in the 2024 Player's Handbook are available.
Posting Frequency: I will be checking in on the in-game thread at least three times a day, posting whenever I need to to move the story along. I ask that you also check in multiple times a day.
Writing Skill: I don't expect everybody's grammar and spelling to be perfect all the time (mine certainly isn't, and the 'A' key on my keyboard likes to not register sometimes), but I ask that you put some real effort into making your posts read well.
A Game for Everyone: I will not tolerate any T.R.A.S.H. (transphobia, racism, ableism/ageism, sexism, homophobia) in this campaign. This game is for everyone who loves to roll (digital) dice, and everyone should feel welcome.
No Murder Hobos: Just don't.
Player's Guide: There is an in-depth player's guide for the campaign here. This was originally written for Pathfinder, so ignore most of the crunch of this one and focus on the fluff. That being said, I would like to use the campaign traits listed in the guide. They will have the following mechanical effects:
Eager Performer increases the DC of your enchantment spells by 1.
Family Ties allows you to speak and read Varisian.
Friends and Enemies gives you a horse (or a pony for small characters) and all the listed items.
Giant Slayer gives you advantage on Deception, Insight, and Perception checks made against giants.
Hagfish Hopeful gives you a +1 bonus to Constitution saving throws made to avoid or end the Poisoned condition.
Merchant Family allows you to sell valuable items for 60% of their value, instead of 50%.
Monster Hunter gives you a +1 bonus to attacks against aberrations and beasts.
Scholar of the Ancients allows you to speak and read Thassilonian.
Student of Faith adds an additional +1 to each die rolled for your healing spells.
If you are interested, apply here with the following information:
Name: Pronouns: Class: Background: Species: Ability Scores: (roll 4d6, drop the lowest, 6 times, reroll 1s once, assign as you like; if you don't like your rolls, you can use the standard array) Campaign Trait: Backstory:
Name: Webster Brindle Pronouns: he/him Class: cleric of Iomedae Background: Farmer Species: halfling Ability Scores: (roll 4d6, drop the lowest, 6 times, reroll 1s once, assign as you like; if you don't like your rolls, you can use the standard array). Ability scores: 91114131313 Campaign Trait: Student of Faith Backstory: Webster was always wordy and correcting his fellow halflings. Eventually he was told someone as perfect as himself outta head to the church of perfect. Webster followed up by studying at a temple dedicated to Iomedae. Eventually it was suggested that he use his advanced knowledge to better the world, in other words join an adventuring group and advance the cause of Iomedae. Webster is to put it mildly easily influenced by suggestion, but his heart is true silver.
Ooh, I'd love to play Rise of the Runelords. Let's see what I get for stats.
Ability scores: 10179181211
Name: Henric Deverin Pronouns: He/Him Class: Fighter (Eldritch Knight) Background: Noble Species: Human Ability Scores: See above quote. Campaign Trait: Merchant Family Backstory: Henric Deverin was born the third son of one of the major noble houses of Magnimar that founded the Mercantile League of Sandpoint. While his uncle Leonid Deverin was the more prominent lord of the house, ruling from Magnimar, Henric's father Gustav oversaw business in Sandpoint. Thus Henric was born and raised in Sandpoint, only visiting the cosmopolitan city of Magnimar on occasion. As a younger son, his father spent much more time with his older brothers, training them in the family merchant business. This suited Henric just fine. He wasn't interested anyway.
Instead he spends most of his time drinking and carousing in the local taverns and in general not taking things or life itself very seriously. On the surface, Henric appears to be just another spoiled noble with too much money and time on his hands. The truth is that he feels redundant and directionless, like his life is pointless and doesn't have any real meaning. Lately he's been listening to stories told by adventurers, tales of heroism and derring-do. Part of Henric wonders if he might be able to live that sort of life as well. It would sure beat drinking and gambling his life away, all the while disappointing his family and living up to their very low expectations for him.
Backstory: (I have never played in the Pathfinder setting so I am still looking into the world and plan to update to reflect the groups and places of this setting.)
Rune was raised in a small noble house. He was always in the library study or out with any guard that would train him. His personality always shines through and was able to make friends with anyone that would talk to him. From a young age he was able to turn his strong emotions into power. That power could heal or harm others so Rune wished to help others when he was an adult. When he reached adulthood he gladly joined the Holy Knight Order. As a new knight he was set off as a squire to aid in the subjugation of undead. The Knights with Rune greatly underestimated the damage and within a day Rune found himself behind several slain knights. His fear led him to flee and leave his fallen friends behind. Soon Rune found out that escape would not be possible. In his desperation Rune bagged for help and a voice offered him a deal. Rune quickly agreed and listened to the voice in order to survive. After that ordeal Rune was believed to be dead and not thinking that he would find help in his old knight’s order Rune was happy to disappear. “One cannot survive without allies.” Rune tells himself as he travels.
Name: Webster Brindle Pronouns: he/him Class: cleric of Iomedae Background: Farmer Species: halfling Ability Scores: (roll 4d6, drop the lowest, 6 times, reroll 1s once, assign as you like; if you don't like your rolls, you can use the standard array). Ability scores: 91114131313 Campaign Trait: Student of Faith Backstory: Webster was always wordy and correcting his fellow halflings. Eventually he was told someone as perfect as himself outta head to the church of perfect. Webster followed up by studying at a temple dedicated to Iomedae. Eventually it was suggested that he use his advanced knowledge to better the world, in other words join an adventuring group and advance the cause of Iomedae. Webster is to put it mildly easily influenced by suggestion, but his heart is true silver.
Rise of the Runelords, just wow sounds awesome.
Link Webster Brindle. thinking Order domain. keeping the rolled scores. Picture.
Been dying to play Rise of the Runelords, definitely gonna apply!
Ability scores: 81310111415
Name: Ashling Fleetfellow Pronouns: she/her Class: Bard (may multiclass into wizard down the line) Background: Sage Species: Halfling Ability Scores: see quote Campaign Trait: Scholar of the Ancients Backstory: A star student at the College of Mysteries in Absalom, Ashling's hopes of finally getting her masters in Arcane History were nearly dashed after her thesis advisor, the eccentric gnome scholar known as Dr. Berri Breytenbach, all but vanished from the island. After salvaging her last semester (thank Desna) and completing her studies, a package arrived at her doorstep which contained Breytenbach's notes on ancient Thassilon with no explanation as to why they had sent it to her. It seemed they were on the trail of 'something that could change the world as we know it,' but they never stated what exactly that was. Ashling pored over the text and was fascinated by what she found - the ancient society of Thassilon was steeped in arcane power, and she was dying to learn more. Using the notebook, she left Absalom and followed the mad gnome's trail deep into Varisia. She eventually arrived in the town of Sandpoint, the last location mentioned in Breytenbach's notes. The locals claimed that Breytenbach seemed frantic as they sent the package, with the postmaster swearing he heard them say, "Need to send it to good hands... before they find me!" The gnome hasn't been seen since, and no one saw them leave town.
Ashling has spent the better half of a year in Sandpoint and has, unfortunately, turned up nothing on Thassilon in the local area, despite Breytenbach's notes claiming that this sleepy town once was a site of great import to the ancient nation of mages. Growing desperate in her curiosity, she has begun working with local adventurers to investigate ruins and caverns near the town with the hopes that something will finally reveal itself before this hunt drives her as mad as her mentor.
Pronouns: she/her (fluid in form, but this is her core expression)
Class:Warlock (Celestial Patron) – Level 1
Background:Custom –Narrative Heart (modeled on Entertainer with emotional ritual focus)
Species:Changeling (fromEberron: Rising from the Last War) - (Can be reflavored as Half-Elf or Custom Lineage if needed for access)
Ability Scores: 17, 16, 14, 13, 10 and 10
📐 Assigned as:
Stat
Score
Modifier
Strength
10
+0
Dexterity
13
+1
Constitution
14
+2
Intelligence
10
+0
Wisdom
10
+0
Charisma
18
+4
→ (17 +1 from Changeling’s ASI)
Campaign Trait:
“Her heart is a lighthouse and a weapon. Pearla turns emotion into magic—grief into healing, love into radiant fire, and joy into invisible wings.”
Backstory:
Pearla was born beneath a silver moon and raised by a pod of celestial orcas who swam not in oceans, but in the space between stars. She doesn’t remember her first form—only the song that woke her. Her face is fluid, her form chosen by feeling.
She travels as a dreamwalker, performer, and emotional cartographer. Her patron—the Celestial Archive—granted her magic not of fire or death, but memory, healing, and radiant connection. She stores spells in pearls braided into her hair, charges them during full moons, and offers them to those in need. Her companions are Cipher, her shadow-reflected spirit; Taryk, her tethered oracle.
Pearla doesn’t fight with swords—she disarms with laughter, tears, and truth. And when the stars align, her heart glows so brightly it breaks curses and opens doors no key ever could.
She was born into Elven nobility and grew up training in arms and animal friendship. Lynniel was expected to join the army or guards as a scout, but a raid on the Elven city changed that. Her sister was murdered by goblins. The elves soon fought the thriband off but it forever changed Lynniel. She took to the deep woods making friends with animals and wood elves alike. She only approached civilisation when she heard of monster bounties, and went of to hunt them down. She has a name for bravery against bad odds, and a willingness to work with others to stop the monsters encroaching on the towns and villages around.
Yua Kurosawa was not born, but meticulously crafted by the eccentric and secretive wizard Master Toshiro Kurosawa, a scholar obsessed with Thassilonian history. Fashioned to appear perfectly human and imbued with keen intellect, Yua was created to assist with his life’s work: uncovering and translating ancient Thassilonian texts. As a homunculus made to think, speak, and learn like a person, Yua quickly became invaluable in deciphering archaic runes, maintaining detailed records, and methodically cross-referencing obscure sources. Though brilliant, she struggled with real-world logic, lacking common sense and self-preservation instincts--traits her master viewed as "extraneous distractions."
Recently, Toshiro grew concerned that Yua’s theoretical knowledge far outpaced her practical experience. Believing her development incomplete, he tasked her with a new directive: leave the safety of the lab and travel to Sandpoint, where old Thassilonian artifacts and ruins had begun to surface. With the rising interest in ancient magic and the potential danger such secrets pose, Yua is determined to learn more, both to expand her knowledge and to carry out her master’s orders. Clutching scroll cases, sipping overly sweet milk tea, and asking far too many questions about social behavior, Yua sets out into a world she has only read about, ready to catalog whatever ancient truths (or threats) she finds.
I recently reread the Rise of the Runelords adventure path, and got inspired to run it. Since much of my free time is taken up by live games of D&D, this one has to be a play-by-post. A few notes about this campaign:
2024: We will primarily be using the revised 2024 rules of D&D 5e. Subclasses from the following 2014 books are allowed: Player's Handbook, Xanathar's, and Tasha's; but if a 2024 version of something exists, that version must be used. I will share all the allowed books in the campaign.
Species Available: This campaign is set in the world of Golarion, where Pathfinder games typically are set. Dragonborn and goliaths are not available as species options, as they simply do not exist in the setting. The remaining eight species in the 2024 Player's Handbook are available.
Posting Frequency: I will be checking in on the in-game thread at least three times a day, posting whenever I need to to move the story along. I ask that you also check in multiple times a day.
Writing Skill: I don't expect everybody's grammar and spelling to be perfect all the time (mine certainly isn't, and the 'A' key on my keyboard likes to not register sometimes), but I ask that you put some real effort into making your posts read well.
A Game for Everyone: I will not tolerate any T.R.A.S.H. (transphobia, racism, ableism/ageism, sexism, homophobia) in this campaign. This game is for everyone who loves to roll (digital) dice, and everyone should feel welcome.
No Murder Hobos: Just don't.
Player's Guide: There is an in-depth player's guide for the campaign here. This was originally written for Pathfinder, so ignore most of the crunch of this one and focus on the fluff. That being said, I would like to use the campaign traits listed in the guide. They will have the following mechanical effects:
If you are interested, apply here with the following information:
Name:
Pronouns:
Class:
Background:
Species:
Ability Scores: (roll 4d6, drop the lowest, 6 times, reroll 1s once, assign as you like; if you don't like your rolls, you can use the standard array)
Campaign Trait:
Backstory:
Ability scores: 14 12 8 17 8 13
Name: Webster Brindle
Pronouns: he/him
Class: cleric of Iomedae
Background: Farmer
Species: halfling
Ability Scores: (roll 4d6, drop the lowest, 6 times, reroll 1s once, assign as you like; if you don't like your rolls, you can use the standard array).
Ability scores: 9 11 14 13 13 13
Campaign Trait: Student of Faith
Backstory: Webster was always wordy and correcting his fellow halflings. Eventually he was told someone as perfect as himself outta head to the church of perfect. Webster followed up by studying at a temple dedicated to Iomedae. Eventually it was suggested that he use his advanced knowledge to better the world, in other words join an adventuring group and advance the cause of Iomedae. Webster is to put it mildly easily influenced by suggestion, but his heart is true silver.
Rise of the Runelords, just wow sounds awesome.
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
Ooh, I'd love to play Rise of the Runelords. Let's see what I get for stats.
Ability scores: 10 17 9 18 12 11
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Name: Henric Deverin
Pronouns: He/Him
Class: Fighter (Eldritch Knight)
Background: Noble
Species: Human
Ability Scores: See above quote.
Campaign Trait: Merchant Family
Backstory: Henric Deverin was born the third son of one of the major noble houses of Magnimar that founded the Mercantile League of Sandpoint. While his uncle Leonid Deverin was the more prominent lord of the house, ruling from Magnimar, Henric's father Gustav oversaw business in Sandpoint. Thus Henric was born and raised in Sandpoint, only visiting the cosmopolitan city of Magnimar on occasion. As a younger son, his father spent much more time with his older brothers, training them in the family merchant business. This suited Henric just fine. He wasn't interested anyway.
Instead he spends most of his time drinking and carousing in the local taverns and in general not taking things or life itself very seriously. On the surface, Henric appears to be just another spoiled noble with too much money and time on his hands. The truth is that he feels redundant and directionless, like his life is pointless and doesn't have any real meaning. Lately he's been listening to stories told by adventurers, tales of heroism and derring-do. Part of Henric wonders if he might be able to live that sort of life as well. It would sure beat drinking and gambling his life away, all the while disappointing his family and living up to their very low expectations for him.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Name: Rune
Pronouns: He/Him
Class: Paladin/Warlock
Background: Noble
Species: Elf
Campaign Trait: Monster Hunter
Backstory: (I have never played in the Pathfinder setting so I am still looking into the world and plan to update to reflect the groups and places of this setting.)
Rune was raised in a small noble house. He was always in the library study or out with any guard that would train him. His personality always shines through and was able to make friends with anyone that would talk to him. From a young age he was able to turn his strong emotions into power. That power could heal or harm others so Rune wished to help others when he was an adult. When he reached adulthood he gladly joined the Holy Knight Order. As a new knight he was set off as a squire to aid in the subjugation of undead. The Knights with Rune greatly underestimated the damage and within a day Rune found himself behind several slain knights. His fear led him to flee and leave his fallen friends behind. Soon Rune found out that escape would not be possible. In his desperation Rune bagged for help and a voice offered him a deal. Rune quickly agreed and listened to the voice in order to survive. After that ordeal Rune was believed to be dead and not thinking that he would find help in his old knight’s order Rune was happy to disappear. “One cannot survive without allies.” Rune tells himself as he travels.
Link Webster Brindle.
thinking Order domain.
keeping the rolled scores.
Picture.
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
Been dying to play Rise of the Runelords, definitely gonna apply!
Ability scores: 8 13 10 11 14 15
Name: Ashling Fleetfellow
Pronouns: she/her
Class: Bard (may multiclass into wizard down the line)
Background: Sage
Species: Halfling
Ability Scores: see quote
Campaign Trait: Scholar of the Ancients
Backstory: A star student at the College of Mysteries in Absalom, Ashling's hopes of finally getting her masters in Arcane History were nearly dashed after her thesis advisor, the eccentric gnome scholar known as Dr. Berri Breytenbach, all but vanished from the island. After salvaging her last semester (thank Desna) and completing her studies, a package arrived at her doorstep which contained Breytenbach's notes on ancient Thassilon with no explanation as to why they had sent it to her. It seemed they were on the trail of 'something that could change the world as we know it,' but they never stated what exactly that was. Ashling pored over the text and was fascinated by what she found - the ancient society of Thassilon was steeped in arcane power, and she was dying to learn more. Using the notebook, she left Absalom and followed the mad gnome's trail deep into Varisia. She eventually arrived in the town of Sandpoint, the last location mentioned in Breytenbach's notes. The locals claimed that Breytenbach seemed frantic as they sent the package, with the postmaster swearing he heard them say, "Need to send it to good hands... before they find me!" The gnome hasn't been seen since, and no one saw them leave town.
Ashling has spent the better half of a year in Sandpoint and has, unfortunately, turned up nothing on Thassilon in the local area, despite Breytenbach's notes claiming that this sleepy town once was a site of great import to the ancient nation of mages. Growing desperate in her curiosity, she has begun working with local adventurers to investigate ruins and caverns near the town with the hopes that something will finally reveal itself before this hunt drives her as mad as her mentor.
Ability scores: 15 12 12 13 17 14
Pearla Effervescent,
Pronouns: she/her (fluid in form, but this is her core expression)
Class: Warlock (Celestial Patron) – Level 1
Background: Custom – Narrative Heart (modeled on Entertainer with emotional ritual focus)
Species: Changeling (from Eberron: Rising from the Last War) - (Can be reflavored as Half-Elf or Custom Lineage if needed for access)
Ability Scores: 17, 16, 14, 13, 10 and 10
📐 Assigned as:
Stat
Score
Modifier
Strength
10
+0
Dexterity
13
+1
Constitution
14
+2
Intelligence
10
+0
Wisdom
10
+0
Charisma
18
+4
→ (17 +1 from Changeling’s ASI)
Campaign Trait:
“Her heart is a lighthouse and a weapon. Pearla turns emotion into magic—grief into healing, love into radiant fire, and joy into invisible wings.”
Backstory:
Pearla was born beneath a silver moon and raised by a pod of celestial orcas who swam not in oceans, but in the space between stars. She doesn’t remember her first form—only the song that woke her. Her face is fluid, her form chosen by feeling.
She travels as a dreamwalker, performer, and emotional cartographer. Her patron—the Celestial Archive—granted her magic not of fire or death, but memory, healing, and radiant connection. She stores spells in pearls braided into her hair, charges them during full moons, and offers them to those in need. Her companions are Cipher, her shadow-reflected spirit; Taryk, her tethered oracle.
Pearla doesn’t fight with swords—she disarms with laughter, tears, and truth. And when the stars align, her heart glows so brightly it breaks curses and opens doors no key ever could.
Ability scores: 17 14 11 14 14 15
Name: Viktor Vakaris
Pronouns: He/Him
Class: Warlock
Background: Wayfarer
Species: Human (Varisian/Chelaxian)
Campaign Trait: Friends and Enemies
Backstory: WIP
Name Lynniel
Pronouns she/her
Class Ranger (Beastmaster)
Background Noble Elf
Species Elf
Abilities in quote
Campaign trait Monster Hunter
Backstory
She was born into Elven nobility and grew up training in arms and animal friendship. Lynniel was expected to join the army or guards as a scout, but a raid on the Elven city changed that. Her sister was murdered by goblins. The elves soon fought the thriband off but it forever changed Lynniel. She took to the deep woods making friends with animals and wood elves alike. She only approached civilisation when she heard of monster bounties, and went of to hunt them down. She has a name for bravery against bad odds, and a willingness to work with others to stop the monsters encroaching on the towns and villages around.
Ability scores: 14 12 12 8 14 11
Pronouns: she/her
Class: Wizard (Abjurer)
Background: Scribe
Species: Human (Tian-Min)
Abilities: Standard Array
Campaign Trait: Scholar of the Ancients
Backstory:
Yua Kurosawa was not born, but meticulously crafted by the eccentric and secretive wizard Master Toshiro Kurosawa, a scholar obsessed with Thassilonian history. Fashioned to appear perfectly human and imbued with keen intellect, Yua was created to assist with his life’s work: uncovering and translating ancient Thassilonian texts. As a homunculus made to think, speak, and learn like a person, Yua quickly became invaluable in deciphering archaic runes, maintaining detailed records, and methodically cross-referencing obscure sources. Though brilliant, she struggled with real-world logic, lacking common sense and self-preservation instincts--traits her master viewed as "extraneous distractions."
Recently, Toshiro grew concerned that Yua’s theoretical knowledge far outpaced her practical experience. Believing her development incomplete, he tasked her with a new directive: leave the safety of the lab and travel to Sandpoint, where old Thassilonian artifacts and ruins had begun to surface. With the rising interest in ancient magic and the potential danger such secrets pose, Yua is determined to learn more, both to expand her knowledge and to carry out her master’s orders. Clutching scroll cases, sipping overly sweet milk tea, and asking far too many questions about social behavior, Yua sets out into a world she has only read about, ready to catalog whatever ancient truths (or threats) she finds.
Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/149197904/jS9P1Y (Not sure what level we'd be starting at so set to 3 for now)
Ability scores: 13 12 14 11 16 12
Ability scores: 16 15 13 13 14 14
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Ability scores: 16 13 12 12 10 15
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 || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Name: Clay Okoro
Pronouns: He/Him
Class: Sorcerer
Background: Charlatan
Species: Human
Campaign Trait: Merchant Family
Backstory: WIP