Okay, so in the last session we were playing Lost Mines of Phandelver and my character was a sassy madman. So, we can start off when I was in the bar or whatever and I threw the old man's drink on the ground and then stabbed him with my greataxe then fled the place lol. A little while later, I was kicking the ox after the rest of the party convinced me not to try to kill it, and I got thrown off the ox and took too much damage (as in I-nearly-am-dead damage). And then (again), a little while later I killed all the explosive mice or whatever and then grabbed one of them to keep as a pet. Little while later (end of session) -------> ran into the woods as far away from the party as possible then left myself there. End of story. Craziest campaign ever!!
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The Nerd Queen! Minty (me) vs Yvonne (SpiderQueenYvonne)... how will we work this out? POSSIBLE Arachnid Queen Imma nerdy nonbinary YouTuber who lives on Earth, quick summary for ya. (No my channel is not under this username lol) I ADMIT IT: I am two hundred thirty-three years old. Me rn: darn it- can't think of how to design this stupid signature.
We had the finale of our campaign today. In the final bossfight the Cleric decided to hide on top of a pillar whilst prone, the final boss was a Demilich who didn't know the cleric was there. The Demilich went first (Because the party decided against a surprise attack for some reason) and used it's howl, the Cleric was within 30ft of the Demilich and instantly lost all his hp. None of the party had a ranged healing spell or had an easy way to get to the top of the pillar, so he spent the rest of the fight unconscious.
I thought they were screwed, but the Paladin didn't fail a single Constitution Saving throw (He only had 12 Con) and basically carried the entire fight. If I didn't see him make the rolls in front of me, I'd have assumed he cheated.
I'm glad the campaign is done because now the Paladin gets to run his campaign and I get to be a player for the first time in almost 2 years.
As you all probably know, the great thing about DND Beyond is the ability to coordinate everyone remotely, and give brand new players a leg up when they first get started. We're coworkers who work remotely. For fun, and to get to know each other better, I pitched D&D, and it turns out most had played before! Even my best friend at work; she'd recently gotten into Critical Role and was really interested in giving it a try. She cracked us up too, her first ever character is a half-orc.
Our DM hasn't played in a long time, so he opted for Tomb of Annihilation, which I've only seen via Acq. Inc.. As the party ideas came up, I realized what an interesting group this would be.
Half-orc fighter with a Captain America/Minsc complex (she actually talks JUST like Minsc, without any prior knowledge of him)
Feral Tiefling ranger (me), born in Dis and stranded in Faerun. She's evil, but the half-orc has slowly taught her Best Practices.
Human paladin that is from a weird doomsday cult. He offered to kill an NPC out of mercy, "Cuz the world's ending anyway."
Wood-elf rogue who likes people, but hates being around them. He whispered, "Just pretend like you're going to kill him, and say you did."
Halfling bard, who coerced the DM into giving him 70 extra starting gold. He uses Rustic Hospitality on us because we're technically commoners.
Usually Rustic Hospitality is cited when we set up camp.
The session was a LOT of fun! We're a chaotic crew, but it somehow gelled, and our half-orc ended up being the de facto leader, even though it was her first time rolling dice. My tiefling hit on Wakanga O'tamu a few times (and even did a finger tickle and a kissy-face as we shook hands, then left a rat skull in his parlor to see if he'd find the gift). We shook down a guy who owed a debt with a really funny strategy, stole a magic item from a shop, and set out into Chult! As my character shared a fiendish love poem she had been working on, the bard carved SOS in the sand by the river.
We had a blast, and the DM was really happy with how things came together, so we're going to have a bi-weekly campaign now! After a 15 year dry spell, it's really nice to be back in it with a group that is easy-breezy, happy to "yes and" silly ideas, and then gush in our DND slack channel between sessions. It's going to be fun!
My last session was a one-shot, but it was so fluid and emotional engaging that we made it into next 4 weekends event as sequels of previous session events - very good DM that give us a lot of freedom without railroading, but same time give strong line of "this is a plot, this is whats need to be done" and make a times, session was unter time pressure, so sooner or later (sooner) we were forced to hit proper NPCs and event.
team of four missguided walking talking problems: aasimar cleric with paranoia of doomsday coming, human monk alcoholic and half elf bard running away with "mafia" alike background that hunts us whole session. I played tiefling warlock and had super-duper funny time anytime i interact with aasimar :)
This one is very long winded. So i put it in a spoiler.
Party
(me!) Rena- Kitsune, Charlatan, Druid
Bellicus- Dragonborn, Acolyte, Barbarian
Jo- Half elf, Sage?, Cleric
Cavari- Halfling, ???, Fighter
Our party, after beating an assassin to death, tiredly walks back to their camp, which was left in shambles. nothing seemed to be missing, but everything was scattered, and Strone about after spending half the day cleaning it up, they traveled farther down the road, past the Etten they burnt, taking a right at the fork in the road and taking lodging for the night in a Generos dwarfs barn, but were woken up by the Dwarven farmer, with rolling grey clouds in the sky.
He needed them out of his barn, so he could secure it for the incoming storm. they left him to his devices, after Bellicus thanked him for his charity, gave him a gold piece, and gave him a small blessing of Baphomut. and a short time later, Bellicus gifted the party with some carved lucky charms he made Durning his watch, with imagery of intwined dragons The party, seeing the storm starting to get worse, decided to bunker down, putting their cart next to some raised up rocks and ground. However shortly they found a large, winged serpent twisting through the sky, it seemed to be following the road, and several bolts of lightning CRACKED down near the group they didnt take the full force of the lightning, but the thunderous boom, and sparks lashed off of the main bolt, downing the Cleric Jo, and severely injuring Bellicus, Cavari, and Rena. And nearly killing thier horse. Rena, having some healing spells, helped Jo. And they both helped Bellicus, Cavari, and Horse.
-----------
As the horse was to frightened to move, they had to sleep the night at those rocks, in the morning they found in the darkness of the storm, they had bunkered near a temple of some sort A man approached from the temple, saying the party was trespassing, Cavari used her Halfling wits and charm too avoid a fight, as the man summoned an Air Elemental to confront us, we swiftly packed up and left, to avoid the mages wrath. going back the way they came, they passed by the Dwarven farmer, angry that they made the mage upset, saying he cause the storm. we continued back to the fork in the road, and when left, as seeing as right was wrong.
That night, each of the party members say several carts and horses riding by during their watches, not knowing why, they brushed it off. In the morning however, they found out why, they were traveling to a town that was a short distance away, for a wonderful and large FESTIVAL! The party quickly parked their cart, Jo and Cavari stayed behind to set up some camp out of the way of the festival. As Bellicus and Rena when to explore the festival. Jo asking them to buy her a book to read before they took off. Bellicus and Rena immediately check out the Oddity's tent, suspecting that these odd trinkets sold by an creepy old woman, where cursed hag items, the quickly left, not remembering the had that wants their heads.
Rena entered into a snake catching contest, to several people surprise, not using any protective gear. To people greater surprise, it was a flying snake. Luckily, thanks to her speech of the woods, Rena was able to calmly call for the snake, letting it land on her without having to chase it. As a reward, she got a spectial gold coin, with the carved face of goddess Waukeen on it. Bellicus and Rena checked out a military surplus booth, getting a book for Jo, and to Bellicus's disappointment, not getting a battle stander of Baphamut.
While Bellicus got some food, and Jo resupplied their Cart, Rena got her hopes up, seeing a mask that looked like her family Heirloom. Seeing that it was a replica, she disappointedly leaves. At least getting some information, that a certain someone is out of jail. and was last seen in WaterDeep. They all gather back at their camp, Rena handing over Jo's new book (and change) and Jo, giving Rena a bead necklace. Much to Rena's surprise.
Next time, what will our hero's find at the Festival? Or will the simply leave? We will find out next time on, LOST MEMORYS!
Strahd game. The Swashbuckler rogue took it upon herself to distract Strahd while the rest of the group Reduced Argenvost's skull and bamfed out. This lead to some memorable quotes like: "Strahd gives you the Help action" "No one here speaks goat" "You cuddle up to Strahd" and my personal favorite: "In a threesome, EVERYONE gets the Help action." (Strahd rolled a 19 and a Nat 20)
My DnD group is full of horny chaos gremlins. I love 'em so. =^-^=
So, some new players were joining, and a giant squirrel of a CR much higher than they were ready for was on its way to destroy a town thanks to the party's actions. But then the squirrel used its Furious Chatter to wipe out over half the crew of the skyship and two of the players (one on the skyship, one in the nearby forest) failed their saves and went down to death saves. The artificer, who was using Medicine checks to help the Mystic, got a nat. 20, giving him advantage on the death saves, which then gave him a nat. 20 after two failed death saves. The guy in the forest fell from a tree and got an auto-fail, but then also managed a nat. 20. Honestly, I have no idea how they survived that, but if it means I don't have to think of a way to introduce even more new characters, it's fine by me.
We have just begun a campaign as students at Strixhaven academy. We compose recaps from the previous sessions to keep all the players in the loop. There are friends who can not make it every time and at least seven players at a time.
Here is my monks recap of the first session. I played meditation music with the pan flute and tibetan bowls for the background.
First day of school
Honorable Sensei Miyagi,
As promised I am writing to relay my new experiences away from the dojo. I have already been using the skills you taught me although, at this time, I may not know where this scholarship came from or why I need to be here. As you say “the path has been prepared and balanced feet will find the stepping stones to enlightenment”. I would assess, from my current perspective, it is more like I am on the path surrounded by quicksand, headed into a hurricane. The trip here was disorienting and this plane is new and the ground unfamiliar. My footing seems very unsure, though as you have taught me, I am seeking the “Balance”.
The student who showed us around seemed welcoming. And then we met a teacher who was suffering some sort of disciplinary action and was forced to accompany us on our tour. That teacher was very condescending and impatient with our inquiries. I do not understand how one may teach- if questions are not met with patience and instruction.
A little about the companions I have found in my class so far....
There is a group of four that seem to know one another and they are quite unruly and undisciplined. Dawnovan may be their leader and attempted to keep them on track but Diaego, Drake and Deckard were impulsive, inquisitive and I think you would say “amusing” to observe. Diaego has not even spent an hour in class and would like to know the fastest way to graduate this first year. Drake has antlers that he decorates with things he finds around the college. I never knew that dragons had antlers. I wonder if he sheds them yearly like the deer around the monastery. Deckard asks questions about things I have never heard of, such as “suppositories”, and was very concerned as to why libraries are called by different names on this plane.
There is a prankster whose face is painted as a skeleton named Freyja who, like me, does not like shoes. It seems they can prompt the soil to instantly grow mushrooms that make horrible smells, and vines that sprout out of nowhere to trip and wrap around their enemies. They share mystical stories of amputees, and heroic relatives. Their aura is one of both life and decay in a wild mixture.
There is a small fairy, called Bee, who is a friend of the earth and seems to sprout vines from their hands and then use the vines to crush their enemies. Bee seemed quite concerned with the conservation of nature and I found harmony with them, although they did become a little frenzied with the cafeteria matron about sticky buns.
Landry is a small and very strong person wearing sleep clothing with a horn sprouting from their hood. They seemed to be eating the entire time, which in turn provided them incredible strength. Their interest in helping others seemed more to be about the provision of food but time will tell.
Thali’ha is a song crafter that was inviting others to join them in practicing music. I may join them with my flute but their music seems chaotic and loud, unlike the quiet and lilting music you have taught me to play. They were quite energetic all day, sending vibrations of positive energy through the air, perhaps my music could benefit from a new perspective.
Talia had a way of the earth about them. I felt the elements welcome their feet and they had a companion creature I had never seen before. A small red and white furry creature with intelligent eyes, though it seemed too shy to be approached. Talia had a ranged weapon that sent projectiles at their enemies. Those projectiles, sharp and deadly, did not return as my Ba-lith-rang does. Each was a strange combination of metal, wood and feathers. They were used to restore balance and peace, as all that can harm- should be used.
Our hostess left us to explore on our own after a small tour. We were guided by strange proverbs on a paper that led us around the campus. We retraced our footsteps around the many areas we had been shown earlier which were indicated by these odd proverbs. Small gifts were awarded to us as we began to understand and follow the writings. I received -with gratitude- a healing potion, a flag bearing the marks of our school, an enlarged soft replica of a green worm and a quill with which to write out our lessons and which I am using to write home.
As we were exploring the campus, we met a group of strangely costumed students. It was explained that they acted out the events of their peoples, as recorded in their historical documents. Apparently these were NOT the events familiar to Freyja’s clan and this was very offensive to them. The discourse became harsh and unkind. The other group left us with angry auras forming about them, the conflict unresolved and the balance unrestored.
The final proverb on the paper led us to the amphitheater which reminded me of our sparring ring, but it was much larger and the vibrations of sound were amplified within it. Thali’ha was instantly thrilled and ran to the stage to sing a song. We followed Thali’ha and noticed lights from above were following us as we moved. In this area we received a gift of small lanterns which Dawnovan was the first to discover.
Landry began rifling through the chests on the stage, presumably looking for a meal. Those chests held some costumes, the chests came to life and began trying to consume Landry and pursue others nearby in our group. It was suddenly a whirl of activity against hostile creatures, whose auras roiled with a sinister oily darkness.
We had been told there may be a test, and that was my first thought, I fought to make you proud Sensei. I worked on behalf of the other students. I was able to free Landry and mostly destroy one of the chests. The others used their skills to fight even harder when the one called Diaego was gravely harmed. I felt the other students in the theater begin to flee, calling for help. Between myself and my companions the foes were soon destroyed, unfortunately along with the costumes of the hostile group we had met earlier in the cafeteria.
The historical group, which I learned can be called “nerds” to abbreviate, returned to find the destruction, their auras even more red with anger. Freyja postulated this was why we were attacked by the chests which held their belongings. Perhaps they had planned to retaliate for the conflict with Freyja by sending hostile creatures against us.
A teacher glided in on feathered wings to see what had transpired and to restore calm. The teacher insisted that this had not been a test and such events had never happened on the scavenging hunt in the past. They said they would cancel the rest of the tours for the first years that were arriving to make sure all would be safe.
We were congratulated on fighting well and the other students present were impressed by the way we fought together. As you say Sensei, “Those who fight for the OTHER, and not for the SELF will win the INNER battle and find LASTING peace.”
I have noticed that many in my group have an aversion to wearing uniforms. I have no objections to them as I have worn clothing that matches my brethren all of my life. This may be an advantage for me that I have gained by living in the monastery, I am thankful.
Our quarters are large and I am alone in my room, I do not ever remember being truly alone to meditate before, I find it is unpleasant. There is earth and stone all around me but it is foreign. I may go out to the courtyard to meditate tonight. I feel estranged from my dojo and my brethren. We have a “House Mother” but she does not seem an admonishing nurturing presence like Sister Yuki. Please tell Sister Yuki, she will be amused, and I know she will say that I am “such a foolish child.” I believe I am experiencing emotions which you call melancholy. I will continue to seek peace for myself and the others, and to find what I may learn on this path.
Had the finale of an eight month, seven level campaign last week. It was part of a school club originally, but we decided to keep playing over the summer. During the summer, attendance started getting spotty, some sessions only had 2/6 party members, but we kept on keeping on, and at the last session of what was originally Hoard of the Dragon Queen that went off the rails FAST because the pc's backstories were way more interesting to me as the DM, we managed to get everyone on a call.
The final battle was between a devil, Ekemon, who needs a Lot of context to fully explain his connections to the rest of the party/the Cult of the Dragon, but essentially he's the Sorcerer's father's (an archfiend) right hand man, and the Warlock's patron, he was betraying the Sorcerer's father by choosing to divert troops from the Blood War to collect gold etc. to build the hoard to free Tiamat. The big fight was AMAZING, there were some crazy moves, including chucking another enemy down into the rift to the nine hells after Ekemon, who was carrying two party members down with him, in an attempt to Hit Ekemon With The Other Dude. In the end, the Warlock FINALLY realized that counterspell is to be used when someone's casting a spell, not after it's been cast, counterspelled a last minute Raise Dead, the Rogue/Cleric got the killing blow on the devil by shooting him with their Holy Weapon-ed crossbow, Tummy Hurt (so called because they always shoot their enemies in the stomach), the extra radiant damage stopped Ekemon from regenerating hp, it was so clutch it was great. In the end, the party worked together to curl (like the sport) Ekemon's dead body into one of Tiamat's mouths (she was magically chained up and stuff yknow), and then escaped back up into the rift, the Wizard dispelled it, this guy who betrayed them a few sessions ago was given a horrible death, and all was well. They all made it back to their favorite anxiety-ball npc who was Extremely worried about them, and then we ended the session.
We played for nearly twice the length of our usual sessions, we had several characters' stories fully resolve. A lot of them wanted to write epilogues in the discord channel so i ABSOLUTELY said yes.. Some of this stuff happened during the session, some in the epilogues, but yeah, here we go: the Warlock managed to break free of his pact, the Sorcerer found and freed her missing girlfriend, the Wizard plane-shifted to the feywild (amulet of plane shift), and spent over a year re-hiding the dragon masks across the planes of existence, making deals with gods and fiends alike, and came back to the material plane in the space of about three rounds of combat. The Sorlock was only starting her adventure, becoming more and more powerful and dedicating herself to protecting the feywild for her archfey adopted mom. The Barbarian got the revenge he wanted, he's still as bloodthirsty as ever, but with the Cult of the Dragon out of the way, he's rebuilding his old nation that he lost to them years ago. The Rogue, who took their 7th level in cleric after befriending the grand priest of the temple of Tyr just so that they could get in the temple and steal from them, decided that they would do "the d&d equivalent of the 95 theses," while still hanging out and stealing from the temple all the time.
It was a really fun campaign, I'm sad it's over, but very excited for the tabletop club at my school to restart on Monday, so i can hop into one of my friends' game as a player!!
Pretty great session - your classic early goblin encounter, with a hobgoblin calling the shots.
Our party actually got into the good graces of one of the goblins…Nilz.
The other goblin we captured was less cooperative…they got their ropes loose and tried to go for a knife.
My Ardling Paladin chucked a javelin at the goblin, and pinned it to the wall, killing it.
Nilz was VERY cooperative after seeing that.
The goblins had been stealing livestock from a local town, and had recently kidnapped their apothecary from her hut, so that she could cook for them.
Nilz was willing to lead the goblins away from their camp, so long as we murdered the hobgoblin leader…who was named “Hob”. Funny.
Nilz would then take over the goblin camp and go someplace else, away from the town.
Our party snuck into the campsite after Nilz lured the goblins away. Cue my Ardling-Corgi Paladin smashing the door off it’s hinges with their warhammer, right as our Human Rogue fires off an arrow with Sneak Attack. We do some hefty damage right at the start, and the Kalashtar Cleric finishes our round with a perfect “Bane”.
Hob and the warg that was with him can’t seem to hit anything because of the “Bane”, and our Rogue finishes off the warg with another arrow. My Paladin then proceeds to dislocate Hob’s jaw, and end the combat.
Nilz sneaks back into the camp and executes Hob, thereby assuming the leadership. Whether due to fear or just being practical, Nilz makes good on his word and leads the goblins away from the town (“towards BETTER meat!”).
We find the shaken apothecary by a cooking pot, and take her back to town.
Hob also had a decent weapon & breastplate on him, too, so the party got an upgrade from their meager equipment.
Oh, and our NPC named Rickett might be in possession of a moonblade…and had it this whole time.
He had killed a skeleton before meeting a party, looted it, and had been wearing it for as long as we knew him…but he couldn’t budge it out of it’s sheath, what with the hilt all old & jammed.
We had a formative session and our Session Zero is next week (this is a large club)!
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Helper of Create a World thread/Sedge is Chaotic Neutral/ Mega Yahtzee High: 34, Low: 14/I speak English, je me parle le Francais, agus Labhraim beagan Gaeilge
My group had their sixth and final session for 'The Lost Mine of Phandelver' yesterday. It's all our first time playing D&D and I've been running this adventure for them. The final encounter with Nezznar was so quick. My wizard and cleric did tremendous damage with lightning bolt and inflict wounds and nearly killed every one before round two, my barbarian only got one hit in and the enemies were rolling absolute garbage for me. They still had a blast. Honestly the most deadly encounters they suffered were Venomfang (whom they killed, I tried to get Venomfang out of there but my cleric successfully used Command as the dragon tried to fly away and put him to sleep in mid-air and he fell) and the pit in the Redbrand hieout nearly killed the entire party lol. We're starting Strahd in two weeks.
Just joined a one shot (realistically, it'll be at least three sessions though, which i'm super happy about), from a homebrew supplement the DM had backed on kickstarter. We're playing it as a sort of test run for the full homebrew campaign the DM wants to run in this world. It's a very eldritch, bloodborne-inspired deal, which i had no experience with but i thought it was super cool. The party is Very Interesting, while also being quite plain, probably because of how the setting was originally described for character creation, we have no full casters. - Johnson, the Human Fighter (subclass unknown to me) - Jo (no relation), the Dhampir Monk (probably long death but who knows) - Adran, the High Elf Champion FIghter who was built literally AS the DM was doing their opening narration - Alexander, the Something Ranger (also subclass unknown) - and my character, Monsters, the Orc Paladin (using a subclass from the supplement), all of us are level 4
We were warned beforehand that the Madness mechanic would be pretty prevalent, but that did not stop me from giving Monsters an INT of 6 and a WIS of 8 :) Most of the players didn't know each other, this was the first day of the tabletop games club at our school, and the DM coordinated it over Discord, so roleplay was a bit slow at first, but sped up quickly when whatever Madness table the DM was using caused Adran to view Monsters as a parental figure and cling onto them. I of COURSE took on the mantle of responsibility for caring for this probably-400-year-old elf. During the first combat, what with all of us being martial characters or half-casters, and our enemies being Birds With Hands, there was a lot of us just swinging and missing, but it was still very fun, because the Johnson's player kept rolling nat 1s, and the DM kept describing them as things like 'you miss so badly the force of your swing completely turns you to face the other direction' but the player would keep coming back with awkward ways to save it, leading to Johnson being a very theatrical character who just likes to flourish a lot, that's all.
The main plot of the story is that we've been tasked by the nobility of this city, to find evidence that would prove that a disease being spread throughout the district is being distributed by the Radiant Church, not cured by them, which the residents of the city have been lead to believe. Monsters, as well as at least two other members of the party, already has one level of Madness, because I'll be damned if i won't roleplay the stats i rolled, and I keep having them look at and touch things that will Very Obviously not be good for them. But hey, at least i'm not the guy who... eats?... collects? fingers. (that would be Jo, who's also definitely some sort of mafia member or something). We ended the session in this super old rich dude's home, being told that we should go talk to the first guy he sent on the mission he's now sending us on, because that guy's still injured and could probably like, give us advice and stuff.
I'm hoping that, now that we know the pacing and sort of series of events that'll happen in the future, we can draw out the sessions a bit more, because i haven't been able to play as a PC in years and i'm having a lot of fun :D
After your standard Session Zero…I FINALLY got to launch into my fresh campaign as DM.
It was nuts; everyone just happened to be THERE; so we had an impromptu D&D night, and BAM: new campaign.
Anyway, the local crime boss of Harvest Ward…located outside Waterdeep…hired the party to investigate a caravan that had been attacked; with two City Guard left dead in the conflict.
The subsequent murder investigation had temporarily halted any trade caravans from entering the city, and our party wanted to get in there as soon as possible.
The crime boss wanted the party to A) find out who attacked the caravan, B) recover their smuggled goods that were on the caravan (particularly an object inside a metal box, and C) see if their driver survived.
And so the party set off to the location of the attack.
Along the way, they found a scarecrow in the middle of the corn field…whose post was embedded into the back of a Shambling Mound.
The Ranger got swallowed up by the Shambling Mound; and combat was initiated.
The Ranger managed to escape the clutches of the Shambling Mound, and the concentrated attacks of the Reborn Ranger, Wild Sorcerer and the Death Cleric allowed them to overcome the plant creature (the Bugbear Druid, unfortunately, had scouted ahead, and missed the combat).
Some clues found along the way made it clear that goblins had attacked the caravan; and the party managed to find their encampment at dusk.
The Bugbear Druid decides to just STRUT inside the goblin encampment with the party, and convince the goblins to pay fealty to their greatness.
…and a Natural 20 on their “Persuasion” check has the goblins convinced that he is, in fact, THE greatest Bugbear.
Cue a party with the goblins.
Among the encampment, they find the caravan driver locked inside the cage…and he is talking VERY strangely: his voice is distorted & warbling, and occasionally small sparks of magical energy emanate from him.
They ask him about the smuggled cargo, and the driver reveals that the crime boss was smuggling magical artifacts into Waterdeep, when the City Guard came upon his wagon.
Panicking, the driver had swallowed the most magical-looking object…an enchanted, multi-colored stone (a Feywild Shard)…so that the guards wouldn’t find it, which was why he was suffering from bizarre magical effects. That was when the goblins ambushed the wagon, killed the guards, and stole the other goods & kidnapped the driver for amusement.
The session ended with the party formulating a plan on how to get the driver & the stolen goods out of the goblin encampment.
After your standard Session Zero…I FINALLY got to launch into my fresh campaign as DM.
It was nuts; everyone just happened to be THERE; so we had an impromptu D&D night, and BAM: new campaign.
Anyway, the local crime boss of Harvest Ward…located outside Waterdeep…hired the party to investigate a caravan that had been attacked; with two City Guard left dead in the conflict.
The subsequent murder investigation had temporarily halted any trade caravans from entering the city, and our party wanted to get in there as soon as possible.
The crime boss wanted the party to A) find out who attacked the caravan, B) recover their smuggled goods that were on the caravan (particularly an object inside a metal box, and C) see if their driver survived.
And so the party set off to the location of the attack.
Along the way, they found a scarecrow in the middle of the corn field…whose post was embedded into the back of a Shambling Mound.
The Ranger got swallowed up by the Shambling Mound; and combat was initiated.
The Ranger managed to escape the clutches of the Shambling Mound, and the concentrated attacks of the Reborn Ranger, Wild Sorcerer and the Death Cleric allowed them to overcome the plant creature (the Bugbear Druid, unfortunately, had scouted ahead, and missed the combat).
Some clues found along the way made it clear that goblins had attacked the caravan; and the party managed to find their encampment at dusk.
The Bugbear Druid decides to just STRUT inside the goblin encampment with the party, and convince the goblins to pay fealty to their greatness.
…and a Natural 20 on their “Persuasion” check has the goblins convinced that he is, in fact, THE greatest Bugbear.
Cue a party with the goblins.
Among the encampment, they find the caravan driver locked inside the cage…and he is talking VERY strangely: his voice is distorted & warbling, and occasionally small sparks of magical energy emanate from him.
They ask him about the smuggled cargo, and the driver reveals that the crime boss was smuggling magical artifacts into Waterdeep, when the City Guard came upon his wagon.
Panicking, the driver had swallowed the most magical-looking object…an enchanted, multi-colored stone (a Feywild Shard)…so that the guards wouldn’t find it, which was why he was suffering from bizarre magical effects. That was when the goblins ambushed the wagon, killed the guards, and stole the other goods & kidnapped the driver for amusement.
The session ended with the party formulating a plan on how to get the driver & the stolen goods out of the goblin encampment.
Just DM'd the First session of my new game tonight!
We start out the first session of "Nikinoast the Hunt" in the sea side city of "Salt water Port" some of our party having arrived on boat, and some having lived on the island of Nikinoast.
They group up, the party consisting of Koda & Obmet(Big Spider), Wurgle, and Tyler. However are quickly accosted by an Elf going by Jaine, they not entertaining her insults she leaves. Her two party members following behind her. The Heavily armored Kash, meekly apologizing for Jaine's behavior, and The short half-elf Wraith barely introducing herself before leaving as well.
The party soon was tasked, along with all the other groups, too find one of three Runic Slabs hidden in Salt water Port. The three teams to find them would be hired, the rest, would get to stay at a nearby hotel for a few days, as to not waist their trip to the island.
Despite some hick ups, Jaine fog-clouding them, and a run in with a thief. The group found the Runic Slab that has a glowing symbol for fire on it. Taking it back to the host, they where soon carted off to the Green Galoo's manor just outside of town.
However they had to stop, and deal with a group of Dancing swords outside of the front gate, as the Galoo's magic item shipment had fallen off the cart, and the swords where whipped into a frenzy.
They quickly where able to dispatch the swords, however Tyler was cut down.
With a heavy heart, they looted him, and when into the manor.
They were shown to their rooms, and told that they will get a replacement from one of the loosing teams. They have the rest of the day to get settled, and then the Green Galoo will brief them in the morning.
What awaits us next time on Nikinost, the Hunt?
The party consists of...
Koda- wood elf witchdocter, with his pet Giant wolf spider Obmet
Wurgle- Changeling Aberrant Sorcerer
Tyler- Human with no class, filling in for the third absent player
Had an excellent first session of a homebrew module I have written set in the town of Steepfield, a city of tall towers which has an economy based entirely around cattle.
This was a sequel to my first oneshot, the Steepfield Cheese Chase (which will be hopefully published on DM's Guild in the next 6 months or so, once I'm done fettling it!)
Everyone started at level 8 and was given 800gp, and allowed to spend it on weapons, armour, and one magic item (250gp for uncommon, 500gp for rare). They were also allowed a mount with a CR anywhere up to War Horse (1/2), with the proviso that anything too exotic needs to be explained! The Party consists of (and I do apologise because I am going by memory so have forgotten a couple of names):
an Aasimar called Thunderbrand, a larger-than-life paladin-artificer who grew up in Steepfield, with an amulet of health, and a giant goat.
Gris, an 8-foot-tall were-bear half-orc barbarian (reflavoured, he's not immune to non-silvered stuff!), with a tattoo of AC17, with no mount because "Gris is too heavy".
A dwarven cleric to Bahamut, who wields the devotees censer, on a shetland pony that he trained to moonwalk into the stable.
A Hexblade Warlock, who is still deciding on her magic item (player was very pressed for time so I've made allowances), on a Giant Wolf.
A monk with bracers of defence and a bag of 6 bottles of Alchemical Fire, on a reflavoured Ambush Drake (made bigger to be rideable).
The session started off on track, as most sessions do. The party were on the road to Steepfield, to see the Steepfield Cattle Drive, which occurs every 6 years and is where they bring in the giant herds of cattle for slaughter and milking, and were discussing their new equipment from their adventures. I'd previously agreed with Thunderbrands player that they can build their character based around Steepfield, because they loved the cheese chase so much. They see Steepfield appear in the distance, and then Thunderbrand says that they will seek out his parents Inn to stay the night.
Well, as you can imagine, this is off script! I quickly work out that the Inn I had intended for them to use can be adapted, and carry on as if it were the plan. They arrive at the Fallen Devil, an Inn just outside of town, and stable their mounts (the pony performing their moonwalking trick), and head inside.
The Monk leads the way, and confuses the Barman, who is now Brock O'-Lee, Thunderbrands adoptive father, by asking for meat for his mount "so it doesn't eat the other mounts". Brock goes out back, returns with a slab of meat, and then sees Thunderbrand, exclaiming "Charlie!!!" and hugging him. None of the other characters knew Thunderbrand's name, so this gave some good roleplay!
Then I get it laid on me that Brock hosts pit-fights at his tavern to drum up business. I'm all for involving players backstories in the world, so a pit fighting arena spontaneously materialises out back. The Monk decides that he wants to challenge Brock, thinking it an easy fight, and the fight is set. A crowd gathers in the next couple of hours, and then they make their way out back, and we the players pause to get more drinks.
Well, you can imagine how much I'm improvising at this point. I need t omake a pit fight, need to make it fun, challenging, and engaging for the players. So, one hasty random table later, the PCs finish filing out back to the pit. As Thunderbrand passes his mother (the bouncer), she says "You'll like it in there dear, I've just finished decorating!".
The pit is a literal pit, floored with sawdust and surrounded by tables and chairs. the most remarkable feature is that there are dozens of items hanging from the ceiling, and dozens of ropes tied off around the pit. A maze of pulleys on the ceiling makes it difficult to see which rope is tied to which item. The monk & Brock square off, and the fight begins.
The fight was very good fun, I won't go blow by blow as you have to be there. After 2 rounds and Brock making it clear that you can untie the ropes to drop items, and can work the crowd for inspiration, one of the other players, perhaps feeling a mite borded at not being involved in the fight, asks "can I untie a rope?", to which I respond "oh yes, the ropes are very easily reached from the sides!".
So with a shower of random items every turn from the watching players, the fight gets more interesting. The Monk is burning through Ki and showering blows on Brock, and Brock is taking them reasonably well, and has gotten a rope around the monks arm to stop him running away. Then one of the PCs drops a rope and nothing happens, then Brock laughs, and several gallons of Grease falls into the arena. Both combatants fall down. Brock is the first up, says "let's see you jump around now boy!" and starts raining punches on the monk, and the monk starts bleeding hitpoints rapidly.
The finale was amazing; the cleric pulls a rope, and the chandelier in the middle falls. Dex saves, Brock fails but the Monk passes, and tries to flip over Brock. Contested strength check because of the rope, the monk fluffs it, and Brock catches him mid-flip and slams him down onto the bag of polyhedral dice which scattered on the floor the round before. Then the chandelier flattens both of them.
As the dust settles, the monk stands up with a single hitpoint left. Brock was on -3, and was knocked unconcious by the chandelier. The crowd goes wild. The players loved every minute of it. The monk is almost out cold.
Luckily for the monk, they are healed by the Cleric, because then Brock's wife (Cauli) slaps him in the face with a large paddle, dealing 1 damage. The paddle holds an imprint of his face, like if you pressed your face onto a photocopier, and is slotted onto the wall on the "Winners Wall", which is covered in such images.
The party then settles down for drinks, and I have to recap myself on what was intended to happen, and introduce Enzo Copperhead, a tanned gnome with a russian accent who was wanting to meet the party, and who invites them for a tour of his new tower in Steepfield, to see the work he is doing modernising the town. He then insists on drinking with them all night, and all the party agrees except the warlock, who then fails her wisdom save against the pursuasive nature of Enzo, and they all have to roll con saves to see how bad the hangover is the next day. 3 of them end up hungover and vulnerable to thunder damage for the morning (didn't come up).
Enzo shows them a tour of the tower, and shows them the top floor, with the views of Steepfield. He explains how they have a huge water tank on the hill and many miles of copper pipe to feed it to the towers, so they no longer have to climb down to the wells. He also points out the Hashbows on the tops of the towers (like multi-barrel ballistas), saying "if you mention wyverns and rocs and dragons enough to people, you can always sell Hashbows! Heh!".
Then he takes them to see the new slaughterhouse he has built for the cattle drive, explaining that nobody wants t owork every 6 years, so they needed a solution. The building is warded to keep cats and dogs out, because the golems do not understand "cow", so he has instructed them to slaughter anything with 4 legs. The wards make small animals afraid, and it has kept them out. Inside there are rows of Iron Golems, with somewhat scary-looking surgical-like blades for arms. Enzo explains that they are a process line, which can slaughter the cows quickly, efficiently, and humanely. "They are efficient and Unthinking, so are at least half like the old workers! Hah!".
Enzo then asks the party for a favour, in exchange for gold. He wants them to go on the cattle drive and watch his daughter, who is prone to heroics and delusions of grandeur. They agree, and the session ends.
This was perhaps where I had anticipated being after an hour, not a session, but it was great fun and everyone enjoyed it. I think I've successfully laid the groundwork for the story, with a lot of potential macguffins and such to work with and keep the players guessing. It's going to be fun!
So, this is a still newish campaign, we're level 4 at the moment and our DM really... really... REALLY likes Homebrew... so we have Monster Hunter monster in our campaign. The last session had us fighting Anjanath and my character (Level 3 Battle Master) dealt 96 out of 136HP the Anjanath had. Fast forward a bit and our Paladin has a PTSD to the point of freezing in place while my character and the ranger has to carry them while watching Astalos and Zinogre fight and threatening all of our lives. Soo yea... Almost died multiple times and it was hella fun
Two level 3’s and one level 5 (rogue, druid, monk in that order) killed all of an adult black dragons guards, then slew the dragon itself. It was a truly awesome combat, with all the players having to think hard and tactically about the situation. Spells such as heat metal turned the heavy armour of the dragonborn guards against them, the players had spent some time concocting potions to smear their weapons with a poisoner’s kit, and the level five (a human monk by name of Fargrim Goliathfist, serving the mysterious order of the flame) had gotten a potent magical upgrade to their weaponry earlier in the campaign. The dragon was caught sleeping and the monk used a ring of invisiblity to get close and then stun the dragon for a round while the druid used area of effect attacks to bombard the dragonborn. They were doing great until the dragon woke up and knocked the rogue from full HP to zero with 55 points of damage, and put the druid and the monk down to five and eight respectively. The remaining two kept fighting, but the druid was knocked to zero as well and the monk pursued the dragon down an underground river. Throughout all of this the players were impeccably kind and polite to myself and each other. They never complained even when it looked as though the Rabin was about to slaughter them, coordinated their attacks without bogging down the session with to much talk, and excitedly divided up the treasure amongst themselves once the dragon was dead. The dragon had no hoard, but the players still took the horns, fangs, venom glands, talons, heart, and scaly skin, as well as several pints of blood, which in my world is smoked as a drug, and is extremely valuable. They were incredibly kind with their thanks afterward, and I can honestly say that it was some if the most fun I’ve had playing this game. Am set to plat them again later today, wish me luck!
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Be Excellent to one another. Rock on dude.
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Okay, so in the last session we were playing Lost Mines of Phandelver and my character was a sassy madman. So, we can start off when I was in the bar or whatever and I threw the old man's drink on the ground and then stabbed him with my greataxe then fled the place lol. A little while later, I was kicking the ox after the rest of the party convinced me not to try to kill it, and I got thrown off the ox and took too much damage (as in I-nearly-am-dead damage). And then (again), a little while later I killed all the explosive mice or whatever and then grabbed one of them to keep as a pet. Little while later (end of session) -------> ran into the woods as far away from the party as possible then left myself there. End of story. Craziest campaign ever!!
The Nerd Queen!
Minty (me) vs Yvonne (SpiderQueenYvonne)... how will we work this out?
POSSIBLE Arachnid Queen
Imma nerdy nonbinary YouTuber who lives on Earth, quick summary for ya. (No my channel is not under this username lol)
I ADMIT IT:
I am two hundred thirty-three years old.
Me rn: darn it- can't think of how to design this stupid signature.
We had the finale of our campaign today. In the final bossfight the Cleric decided to hide on top of a pillar whilst prone, the final boss was a Demilich who didn't know the cleric was there. The Demilich went first (Because the party decided against a surprise attack for some reason) and used it's howl, the Cleric was within 30ft of the Demilich and instantly lost all his hp. None of the party had a ranged healing spell or had an easy way to get to the top of the pillar, so he spent the rest of the fight unconscious.
I thought they were screwed, but the Paladin didn't fail a single Constitution Saving throw (He only had 12 Con) and basically carried the entire fight. If I didn't see him make the rolls in front of me, I'd have assumed he cheated.
I'm glad the campaign is done because now the Paladin gets to run his campaign and I get to be a player for the first time in almost 2 years.
As you all probably know, the great thing about DND Beyond is the ability to coordinate everyone remotely, and give brand new players a leg up when they first get started. We're coworkers who work remotely. For fun, and to get to know each other better, I pitched D&D, and it turns out most had played before! Even my best friend at work; she'd recently gotten into Critical Role and was really interested in giving it a try. She cracked us up too, her first ever character is a half-orc.
Our DM hasn't played in a long time, so he opted for Tomb of Annihilation, which I've only seen via Acq. Inc.. As the party ideas came up, I realized what an interesting group this would be.
The session was a LOT of fun! We're a chaotic crew, but it somehow gelled, and our half-orc ended up being the de facto leader, even though it was her first time rolling dice. My tiefling hit on Wakanga O'tamu a few times (and even did a finger tickle and a kissy-face as we shook hands, then left a rat skull in his parlor to see if he'd find the gift). We shook down a guy who owed a debt with a really funny strategy, stole a magic item from a shop, and set out into Chult! As my character shared a fiendish love poem she had been working on, the bard carved SOS in the sand by the river.
We had a blast, and the DM was really happy with how things came together, so we're going to have a bi-weekly campaign now! After a 15 year dry spell, it's really nice to be back in it with a group that is easy-breezy, happy to "yes and" silly ideas, and then gush in our DND slack channel between sessions. It's going to be fun!
- Manx (she/her)
My last session was a one-shot, but it was so fluid and emotional engaging that we made it into next 4 weekends event as sequels of previous session events - very good DM that give us a lot of freedom without railroading, but same time give strong line of "this is a plot, this is whats need to be done" and make a times, session was unter time pressure, so sooner or later (sooner) we were forced to hit proper NPCs and event.
team of four missguided walking talking problems: aasimar cleric with paranoia of doomsday coming, human monk alcoholic and half elf bard running away with "mafia" alike background that hunts us whole session. I played tiefling warlock and had super-duper funny time anytime i interact with aasimar :)
This one is very long winded. So i put it in a spoiler.
Party
(me!) Rena- Kitsune, Charlatan, Druid
Bellicus- Dragonborn, Acolyte, Barbarian
Jo- Half elf, Sage?, Cleric
Cavari- Halfling, ???, Fighter
Current game- Pelegos: Singularity
Game world- Thad'thra, homebrew
Role- DM
Players- Maro: Light Cleric, Rivqah: Feind Warlock, Kortek: Artillerist Artificer
Plot: Uncover a conspiracy and truth behind the Dragon, Blasphemy, and the light of the kingdom that was stollen. Drenching Baranara into shadow.
Strahd game. The Swashbuckler rogue took it upon herself to distract Strahd while the rest of the group Reduced Argenvost's skull and bamfed out. This lead to some memorable quotes like: "Strahd gives you the Help action" "No one here speaks goat" "You cuddle up to Strahd" and my personal favorite: "In a threesome, EVERYONE gets the Help action." (Strahd rolled a 19 and a Nat 20)
My DnD group is full of horny chaos gremlins. I love 'em so. =^-^=
Sounds like quite the session!
So, some new players were joining, and a giant squirrel of a CR much higher than they were ready for was on its way to destroy a town thanks to the party's actions. But then the squirrel used its Furious Chatter to wipe out over half the crew of the skyship and two of the players (one on the skyship, one in the nearby forest) failed their saves and went down to death saves. The artificer, who was using Medicine checks to help the Mystic, got a nat. 20, giving him advantage on the death saves, which then gave him a nat. 20 after two failed death saves. The guy in the forest fell from a tree and got an auto-fail, but then also managed a nat. 20. Honestly, I have no idea how they survived that, but if it means I don't have to think of a way to introduce even more new characters, it's fine by me.
Looking for a campaign? Or, perhaps, trying to start one? Come join Rolegate! Just send me a friend request (same name as here) and I'll help you get started!
Ducks are just geese lite. Focus on the future. It'll become the past soon enough.
Istari and White Counsel in Club. Not the wish-granter of a thread.
Become a Plague Doctor today!
Join the Knights of the Random Table and Calius and Kothar Industries!
Homebrew: Artifact, Dungeon
May be offline due to school
We have just begun a campaign as students at Strixhaven academy. We compose recaps from the previous sessions to keep all the players in the loop. There are friends who can not make it every time and at least seven players at a time.
Here is my monks recap of the first session. I played meditation music with the pan flute and tibetan bowls for the background.
First day of school
Honorable Sensei Miyagi,
As promised I am writing to relay my new experiences away from the dojo. I have already been using the skills you taught me although, at this time, I may not know where this scholarship came from or why I need to be here. As you say “the path has been prepared and balanced feet will find the stepping stones to enlightenment”. I would assess, from my current perspective, it is more like I am on the path surrounded by quicksand, headed into a hurricane. The trip here was disorienting and this plane is new and the ground unfamiliar. My footing seems very unsure, though as you have taught me, I am seeking the “Balance”.
The student who showed us around seemed welcoming. And then we met a teacher who was suffering some sort of disciplinary action and was forced to accompany us on our tour. That teacher was very condescending and impatient with our inquiries. I do not understand how one may teach- if questions are not met with patience and instruction.
A little about the companions I have found in my class so far....
There is a group of four that seem to know one another and they are quite unruly and undisciplined. Dawnovan may be their leader and attempted to keep them on track but Diaego, Drake and Deckard were impulsive, inquisitive and I think you would say “amusing” to observe. Diaego has not even spent an hour in class and would like to know the fastest way to graduate this first year. Drake has antlers that he decorates with things he finds around the college. I never knew that dragons had antlers. I wonder if he sheds them yearly like the deer around the monastery. Deckard asks questions about things I have never heard of, such as “suppositories”, and was very concerned as to why libraries are called by different names on this plane.
There is a prankster whose face is painted as a skeleton named Freyja who, like me, does not like shoes. It seems they can prompt the soil to instantly grow mushrooms that make horrible smells, and vines that sprout out of nowhere to trip and wrap around their enemies. They share mystical stories of amputees, and heroic relatives. Their aura is one of both life and decay in a wild mixture.
There is a small fairy, called Bee, who is a friend of the earth and seems to sprout vines from their hands and then use the vines to crush their enemies. Bee seemed quite concerned with the conservation of nature and I found harmony with them, although they did become a little frenzied with the cafeteria matron about sticky buns.
Landry is a small and very strong person wearing sleep clothing with a horn sprouting from their hood. They seemed to be eating the entire time, which in turn provided them incredible strength. Their interest in helping others seemed more to be about the provision of food but time will tell.
Thali’ha is a song crafter that was inviting others to join them in practicing music. I may join them with my flute but their music seems chaotic and loud, unlike the quiet and lilting music you have taught me to play. They were quite energetic all day, sending vibrations of positive energy through the air, perhaps my music could benefit from a new perspective.
Talia had a way of the earth about them. I felt the elements welcome their feet and they had a companion creature I had never seen before. A small red and white furry creature with intelligent eyes, though it seemed too shy to be approached. Talia had a ranged weapon that sent projectiles at their enemies. Those projectiles, sharp and deadly, did not return as my Ba-lith-rang does. Each was a strange combination of metal, wood and feathers. They were used to restore balance and peace, as all that can harm- should be used.
Our hostess left us to explore on our own after a small tour. We were guided by strange proverbs on a paper that led us around the campus. We retraced our footsteps around the many areas we had been shown earlier which were indicated by these odd proverbs. Small gifts were awarded to us as we began to understand and follow the writings. I received -with gratitude- a healing potion, a flag bearing the marks of our school, an enlarged soft replica of a green worm and a quill with which to write out our lessons and which I am using to write home.
As we were exploring the campus, we met a group of strangely costumed students. It was explained that they acted out the events of their peoples, as recorded in their historical documents. Apparently these were NOT the events familiar to Freyja’s clan and this was very offensive to them. The discourse became harsh and unkind. The other group left us with angry auras forming about them, the conflict unresolved and the balance unrestored.
The final proverb on the paper led us to the amphitheater which reminded me of our sparring ring, but it was much larger and the vibrations of sound were amplified within it. Thali’ha was instantly thrilled and ran to the stage to sing a song. We followed Thali’ha and noticed lights from above were following us as we moved. In this area we received a gift of small lanterns which Dawnovan was the first to discover.
Landry began rifling through the chests on the stage, presumably looking for a meal. Those chests held some costumes, the chests came to life and began trying to consume Landry and pursue others nearby in our group. It was suddenly a whirl of activity against hostile creatures, whose auras roiled with a sinister oily darkness.
We had been told there may be a test, and that was my first thought, I fought to make you proud Sensei. I worked on behalf of the other students. I was able to free Landry and mostly destroy one of the chests. The others used their skills to fight even harder when the one called Diaego was gravely harmed. I felt the other students in the theater begin to flee, calling for help. Between myself and my companions the foes were soon destroyed, unfortunately along with the costumes of the hostile group we had met earlier in the cafeteria.
The historical group, which I learned can be called “nerds” to abbreviate, returned to find the destruction, their auras even more red with anger. Freyja postulated this was why we were attacked by the chests which held their belongings. Perhaps they had planned to retaliate for the conflict with Freyja by sending hostile creatures against us.
A teacher glided in on feathered wings to see what had transpired and to restore calm. The teacher insisted that this had not been a test and such events had never happened on the scavenging hunt in the past. They said they would cancel the rest of the tours for the first years that were arriving to make sure all would be safe.
We were congratulated on fighting well and the other students present were impressed by the way we fought together. As you say Sensei, “Those who fight for the OTHER, and not for the SELF will win the INNER battle and find LASTING peace.”
I have noticed that many in my group have an aversion to wearing uniforms. I have no objections to them as I have worn clothing that matches my brethren all of my life. This may be an advantage for me that I have gained by living in the monastery, I am thankful.
Our quarters are large and I am alone in my room, I do not ever remember being truly alone to meditate before, I find it is unpleasant. There is earth and stone all around me but it is foreign. I may go out to the courtyard to meditate tonight. I feel estranged from my dojo and my brethren. We have a “House Mother” but she does not seem an admonishing nurturing presence like Sister Yuki. Please tell Sister Yuki, she will be amused, and I know she will say that I am “such a foolish child.” I believe I am experiencing emotions which you call melancholy. I will continue to seek peace for myself and the others, and to find what I may learn on this path.
“Seek and find- balance, truth and peace,”
Petra
Pristine Imperfection
Had the finale of an eight month, seven level campaign last week. It was part of a school club originally, but we decided to keep playing over the summer. During the summer, attendance started getting spotty, some sessions only had 2/6 party members, but we kept on keeping on, and at the last session of what was originally Hoard of the Dragon Queen that went off the rails FAST because the pc's backstories were way more interesting to me as the DM, we managed to get everyone on a call.
The final battle was between a devil, Ekemon, who needs a Lot of context to fully explain his connections to the rest of the party/the Cult of the Dragon, but essentially he's the Sorcerer's father's (an archfiend) right hand man, and the Warlock's patron, he was betraying the Sorcerer's father by choosing to divert troops from the Blood War to collect gold etc. to build the hoard to free Tiamat.
The big fight was AMAZING, there were some crazy moves, including chucking another enemy down into the rift to the nine hells after Ekemon, who was carrying two party members down with him, in an attempt to Hit Ekemon With The Other Dude. In the end, the Warlock FINALLY realized that counterspell is to be used when someone's casting a spell, not after it's been cast, counterspelled a last minute Raise Dead, the Rogue/Cleric got the killing blow on the devil by shooting him with their Holy Weapon-ed crossbow, Tummy Hurt (so called because they always shoot their enemies in the stomach), the extra radiant damage stopped Ekemon from regenerating hp, it was so clutch it was great. In the end, the party worked together to curl (like the sport) Ekemon's dead body into one of Tiamat's mouths (she was magically chained up and stuff yknow), and then escaped back up into the rift, the Wizard dispelled it, this guy who betrayed them a few sessions ago was given a horrible death, and all was well. They all made it back to their favorite anxiety-ball npc who was Extremely worried about them, and then we ended the session.
We played for nearly twice the length of our usual sessions, we had several characters' stories fully resolve. A lot of them wanted to write epilogues in the discord channel so i ABSOLUTELY said yes.. Some of this stuff happened during the session, some in the epilogues, but yeah, here we go: the Warlock managed to break free of his pact, the Sorcerer found and freed her missing girlfriend, the Wizard plane-shifted to the feywild (amulet of plane shift), and spent over a year re-hiding the dragon masks across the planes of existence, making deals with gods and fiends alike, and came back to the material plane in the space of about three rounds of combat. The Sorlock was only starting her adventure, becoming more and more powerful and dedicating herself to protecting the feywild for her archfey adopted mom. The Barbarian got the revenge he wanted, he's still as bloodthirsty as ever, but with the Cult of the Dragon out of the way, he's rebuilding his old nation that he lost to them years ago. The Rogue, who took their 7th level in cleric after befriending the grand priest of the temple of Tyr just so that they could get in the temple and steal from them, decided that they would do "the d&d equivalent of the 95 theses," while still hanging out and stealing from the temple all the time.
It was a really fun campaign, I'm sad it's over, but very excited for the tabletop club at my school to restart on Monday, so i can hop into one of my friends' game as a player!!
:)
Pretty great session - your classic early goblin encounter, with a hobgoblin calling the shots.
Our party actually got into the good graces of one of the goblins…Nilz.
The other goblin we captured was less cooperative…they got their ropes loose and tried to go for a knife.
My Ardling Paladin chucked a javelin at the goblin, and pinned it to the wall, killing it.
Nilz was VERY cooperative after seeing that.
The goblins had been stealing livestock from a local town, and had recently kidnapped their apothecary from her hut, so that she could cook for them.
Nilz was willing to lead the goblins away from their camp, so long as we murdered the hobgoblin leader…who was named “Hob”. Funny.
Nilz would then take over the goblin camp and go someplace else, away from the town.
Our party snuck into the campsite after Nilz lured the goblins away. Cue my Ardling-Corgi Paladin smashing the door off it’s hinges with their warhammer, right as our Human Rogue fires off an arrow with Sneak Attack. We do some hefty damage right at the start, and the Kalashtar Cleric finishes our round with a perfect “Bane”.
Hob and the warg that was with him can’t seem to hit anything because of the “Bane”, and our Rogue finishes off the warg with another arrow. My Paladin then proceeds to dislocate Hob’s jaw, and end the combat.
Nilz sneaks back into the camp and executes Hob, thereby assuming the leadership. Whether due to fear or just being practical, Nilz makes good on his word and leads the goblins away from the town (“towards BETTER meat!”).
We find the shaken apothecary by a cooking pot, and take her back to town.
Hob also had a decent weapon & breastplate on him, too, so the party got an upgrade from their meager equipment.
Oh, and our NPC named Rickett might be in possession of a moonblade…and had it this whole time.
He had killed a skeleton before meeting a party, looted it, and had been wearing it for as long as we knew him…but he couldn’t budge it out of it’s sheath, what with the hilt all old & jammed.
So that’ll be fun to unpack later.
We had a formative session and our Session Zero is next week (this is a large club)!
Helper of Create a World thread/Sedge is Chaotic Neutral/ Mega Yahtzee High: 34, Low: 14/I speak English, je me parle le Francais, agus Labhraim beagan Gaeilge
Dream of Days Lore Bard 9/Wizard 4 Baulder's Gate: Descent to Avernus (In Person/Over Zoom)
Saleadon Morgul Battle Smith Artificer 11 Tyranny of Dragons (In Person/Over Zoom)
Hurtharn Serpti Ghostslayer Blood Hunter 7 Spelljammer (Over Zoom)
Ex Sig
My group had their sixth and final session for 'The Lost Mine of Phandelver' yesterday. It's all our first time playing D&D and I've been running this adventure for them. The final encounter with Nezznar was so quick. My wizard and cleric did tremendous damage with lightning bolt and inflict wounds and nearly killed every one before round two, my barbarian only got one hit in and the enemies were rolling absolute garbage for me. They still had a blast. Honestly the most deadly encounters they suffered were Venomfang (whom they killed, I tried to get Venomfang out of there but my cleric successfully used Command as the dragon tried to fly away and put him to sleep in mid-air and he fell) and the pit in the Redbrand hieout nearly killed the entire party lol. We're starting Strahd in two weeks.
Just joined a one shot (realistically, it'll be at least three sessions though, which i'm super happy about), from a homebrew supplement the DM had backed on kickstarter. We're playing it as a sort of test run for the full homebrew campaign the DM wants to run in this world. It's a very eldritch, bloodborne-inspired deal, which i had no experience with but i thought it was super cool.
The party is Very Interesting, while also being quite plain, probably because of how the setting was originally described for character creation, we have no full casters.
- Johnson, the Human Fighter (subclass unknown to me)
- Jo (no relation), the Dhampir Monk (probably long death but who knows)
- Adran, the High Elf Champion FIghter who was built literally AS the DM was doing their opening narration
- Alexander, the Something Ranger (also subclass unknown)
- and my character, Monsters, the Orc Paladin (using a subclass from the supplement), all of us are level 4
We were warned beforehand that the Madness mechanic would be pretty prevalent, but that did not stop me from giving Monsters an INT of 6 and a WIS of 8 :)
Most of the players didn't know each other, this was the first day of the tabletop games club at our school, and the DM coordinated it over Discord, so roleplay was a bit slow at first, but sped up quickly when whatever Madness table the DM was using caused Adran to view Monsters as a parental figure and cling onto them. I of COURSE took on the mantle of responsibility for caring for this probably-400-year-old elf.
During the first combat, what with all of us being martial characters or half-casters, and our enemies being Birds With Hands, there was a lot of us just swinging and missing, but it was still very fun, because the Johnson's player kept rolling nat 1s, and the DM kept describing them as things like 'you miss so badly the force of your swing completely turns you to face the other direction' but the player would keep coming back with awkward ways to save it, leading to Johnson being a very theatrical character who just likes to flourish a lot, that's all.
The main plot of the story is that we've been tasked by the nobility of this city, to find evidence that would prove that a disease being spread throughout the district is being distributed by the Radiant Church, not cured by them, which the residents of the city have been lead to believe. Monsters, as well as at least two other members of the party, already has one level of Madness, because I'll be damned if i won't roleplay the stats i rolled, and I keep having them look at and touch things that will Very Obviously not be good for them. But hey, at least i'm not the guy who... eats?... collects? fingers. (that would be Jo, who's also definitely some sort of mafia member or something). We ended the session in this super old rich dude's home, being told that we should go talk to the first guy he sent on the mission he's now sending us on, because that guy's still injured and could probably like, give us advice and stuff.
I'm hoping that, now that we know the pacing and sort of series of events that'll happen in the future, we can draw out the sessions a bit more, because i haven't been able to play as a PC in years and i'm having a lot of fun :D
:)
After your standard Session Zero…I FINALLY got to launch into my fresh campaign as DM.
It was nuts; everyone just happened to be THERE; so we had an impromptu D&D night, and BAM: new campaign.
Anyway, the local crime boss of Harvest Ward…located outside Waterdeep…hired the party to investigate a caravan that had been attacked; with two City Guard left dead in the conflict.
The subsequent murder investigation had temporarily halted any trade caravans from entering the city, and our party wanted to get in there as soon as possible.
The crime boss wanted the party to A) find out who attacked the caravan, B) recover their smuggled goods that were on the caravan (particularly an object inside a metal box, and C) see if their driver survived.
And so the party set off to the location of the attack.
Along the way, they found a scarecrow in the middle of the corn field…whose post was embedded into the back of a Shambling Mound.
The Ranger got swallowed up by the Shambling Mound; and combat was initiated.
The Ranger managed to escape the clutches of the Shambling Mound, and the concentrated attacks of the Reborn Ranger, Wild Sorcerer and the Death Cleric allowed them to overcome the plant creature (the Bugbear Druid, unfortunately, had scouted ahead, and missed the combat).
Some clues found along the way made it clear that goblins had attacked the caravan; and the party managed to find their encampment at dusk.
The Bugbear Druid decides to just STRUT inside the goblin encampment with the party, and convince the goblins to pay fealty to their greatness.
…and a Natural 20 on their “Persuasion” check has the goblins convinced that he is, in fact, THE greatest Bugbear.
Cue a party with the goblins.
Among the encampment, they find the caravan driver locked inside the cage…and he is talking VERY strangely: his voice is distorted & warbling, and occasionally small sparks of magical energy emanate from him.
They ask him about the smuggled cargo, and the driver reveals that the crime boss was smuggling magical artifacts into Waterdeep, when the City Guard came upon his wagon.
Panicking, the driver had swallowed the most magical-looking object…an enchanted, multi-colored stone (a Feywild Shard)…so that the guards wouldn’t find it, which was why he was suffering from bizarre magical effects. That was when the goblins ambushed the wagon, killed the guards, and stole the other goods & kidnapped the driver for amusement.
The session ended with the party formulating a plan on how to get the driver & the stolen goods out of the goblin encampment.
I like your summaries. Keep 'em coming!
Just DM'd the First session of my new game tonight!
We start out the first session of "Nikinoast the Hunt" in the sea side city of "Salt water Port" some of our party having arrived on boat, and some having lived on the island of Nikinoast.
They group up, the party consisting of Koda & Obmet(Big Spider), Wurgle, and Tyler. However are quickly accosted by an Elf going by Jaine, they not entertaining her insults she leaves. Her two party members following behind her. The Heavily armored Kash, meekly apologizing for Jaine's behavior, and The short half-elf Wraith barely introducing herself before leaving as well.
The party soon was tasked, along with all the other groups, too find one of three Runic Slabs hidden in Salt water Port. The three teams to find them would be hired, the rest, would get to stay at a nearby hotel for a few days, as to not waist their trip to the island.
Despite some hick ups, Jaine fog-clouding them, and a run in with a thief. The group found the Runic Slab that has a glowing symbol for fire on it. Taking it back to the host, they where soon carted off to the Green Galoo's manor just outside of town.
However they had to stop, and deal with a group of Dancing swords outside of the front gate, as the Galoo's magic item shipment had fallen off the cart, and the swords where whipped into a frenzy.
They quickly where able to dispatch the swords, however Tyler was cut down.
With a heavy heart, they looted him, and when into the manor.
They were shown to their rooms, and told that they will get a replacement from one of the loosing teams. They have the rest of the day to get settled, and then the Green Galoo will brief them in the morning.
What awaits us next time on Nikinost, the Hunt?
The party consists of...
Koda- wood elf witchdocter, with his pet Giant wolf spider Obmet
Wurgle- Changeling Aberrant Sorcerer
Tyler- Human with no class, filling in for the third absent player
Markus- human drunk monk, the third absent player
Current game- Pelegos: Singularity
Game world- Thad'thra, homebrew
Role- DM
Players- Maro: Light Cleric, Rivqah: Feind Warlock, Kortek: Artillerist Artificer
Plot: Uncover a conspiracy and truth behind the Dragon, Blasphemy, and the light of the kingdom that was stollen. Drenching Baranara into shadow.
Had an excellent first session of a homebrew module I have written set in the town of Steepfield, a city of tall towers which has an economy based entirely around cattle.
This was a sequel to my first oneshot, the Steepfield Cheese Chase (which will be hopefully published on DM's Guild in the next 6 months or so, once I'm done fettling it!)
Everyone started at level 8 and was given 800gp, and allowed to spend it on weapons, armour, and one magic item (250gp for uncommon, 500gp for rare). They were also allowed a mount with a CR anywhere up to War Horse (1/2), with the proviso that anything too exotic needs to be explained! The Party consists of (and I do apologise because I am going by memory so have forgotten a couple of names):
The session started off on track, as most sessions do. The party were on the road to Steepfield, to see the Steepfield Cattle Drive, which occurs every 6 years and is where they bring in the giant herds of cattle for slaughter and milking, and were discussing their new equipment from their adventures. I'd previously agreed with Thunderbrands player that they can build their character based around Steepfield, because they loved the cheese chase so much. They see Steepfield appear in the distance, and then Thunderbrand says that they will seek out his parents Inn to stay the night.
Well, as you can imagine, this is off script! I quickly work out that the Inn I had intended for them to use can be adapted, and carry on as if it were the plan. They arrive at the Fallen Devil, an Inn just outside of town, and stable their mounts (the pony performing their moonwalking trick), and head inside.
The Monk leads the way, and confuses the Barman, who is now Brock O'-Lee, Thunderbrands adoptive father, by asking for meat for his mount "so it doesn't eat the other mounts". Brock goes out back, returns with a slab of meat, and then sees Thunderbrand, exclaiming "Charlie!!!" and hugging him. None of the other characters knew Thunderbrand's name, so this gave some good roleplay!
Then I get it laid on me that Brock hosts pit-fights at his tavern to drum up business. I'm all for involving players backstories in the world, so a pit fighting arena spontaneously materialises out back. The Monk decides that he wants to challenge Brock, thinking it an easy fight, and the fight is set. A crowd gathers in the next couple of hours, and then they make their way out back, and we the players pause to get more drinks.
Well, you can imagine how much I'm improvising at this point. I need t omake a pit fight, need to make it fun, challenging, and engaging for the players. So, one hasty random table later, the PCs finish filing out back to the pit. As Thunderbrand passes his mother (the bouncer), she says "You'll like it in there dear, I've just finished decorating!".
The pit is a literal pit, floored with sawdust and surrounded by tables and chairs. the most remarkable feature is that there are dozens of items hanging from the ceiling, and dozens of ropes tied off around the pit. A maze of pulleys on the ceiling makes it difficult to see which rope is tied to which item. The monk & Brock square off, and the fight begins.
The fight was very good fun, I won't go blow by blow as you have to be there. After 2 rounds and Brock making it clear that you can untie the ropes to drop items, and can work the crowd for inspiration, one of the other players, perhaps feeling a mite borded at not being involved in the fight, asks "can I untie a rope?", to which I respond "oh yes, the ropes are very easily reached from the sides!".
So with a shower of random items every turn from the watching players, the fight gets more interesting. The Monk is burning through Ki and showering blows on Brock, and Brock is taking them reasonably well, and has gotten a rope around the monks arm to stop him running away. Then one of the PCs drops a rope and nothing happens, then Brock laughs, and several gallons of Grease falls into the arena. Both combatants fall down. Brock is the first up, says "let's see you jump around now boy!" and starts raining punches on the monk, and the monk starts bleeding hitpoints rapidly.
The finale was amazing; the cleric pulls a rope, and the chandelier in the middle falls. Dex saves, Brock fails but the Monk passes, and tries to flip over Brock. Contested strength check because of the rope, the monk fluffs it, and Brock catches him mid-flip and slams him down onto the bag of polyhedral dice which scattered on the floor the round before. Then the chandelier flattens both of them.
As the dust settles, the monk stands up with a single hitpoint left. Brock was on -3, and was knocked unconcious by the chandelier. The crowd goes wild. The players loved every minute of it. The monk is almost out cold.
Luckily for the monk, they are healed by the Cleric, because then Brock's wife (Cauli) slaps him in the face with a large paddle, dealing 1 damage. The paddle holds an imprint of his face, like if you pressed your face onto a photocopier, and is slotted onto the wall on the "Winners Wall", which is covered in such images.
The party then settles down for drinks, and I have to recap myself on what was intended to happen, and introduce Enzo Copperhead, a tanned gnome with a russian accent who was wanting to meet the party, and who invites them for a tour of his new tower in Steepfield, to see the work he is doing modernising the town. He then insists on drinking with them all night, and all the party agrees except the warlock, who then fails her wisdom save against the pursuasive nature of Enzo, and they all have to roll con saves to see how bad the hangover is the next day. 3 of them end up hungover and vulnerable to thunder damage for the morning (didn't come up).
Enzo shows them a tour of the tower, and shows them the top floor, with the views of Steepfield. He explains how they have a huge water tank on the hill and many miles of copper pipe to feed it to the towers, so they no longer have to climb down to the wells. He also points out the Hashbows on the tops of the towers (like multi-barrel ballistas), saying "if you mention wyverns and rocs and dragons enough to people, you can always sell Hashbows! Heh!".
Then he takes them to see the new slaughterhouse he has built for the cattle drive, explaining that nobody wants t owork every 6 years, so they needed a solution. The building is warded to keep cats and dogs out, because the golems do not understand "cow", so he has instructed them to slaughter anything with 4 legs. The wards make small animals afraid, and it has kept them out. Inside there are rows of Iron Golems, with somewhat scary-looking surgical-like blades for arms. Enzo explains that they are a process line, which can slaughter the cows quickly, efficiently, and humanely. "They are efficient and Unthinking, so are at least half like the old workers! Hah!".
Enzo then asks the party for a favour, in exchange for gold. He wants them to go on the cattle drive and watch his daughter, who is prone to heroics and delusions of grandeur. They agree, and the session ends.
This was perhaps where I had anticipated being after an hour, not a session, but it was great fun and everyone enjoyed it. I think I've successfully laid the groundwork for the story, with a lot of potential macguffins and such to work with and keep the players guessing. It's going to be fun!
Make your Artificer work with any other class with 174 Multiclassing Feats for your Artificer Multiclass Character!
DM's Guild Releases on This Thread Or check them all out on DMs Guild!
DrivethruRPG Releases on This Thread - latest release: My Character is a Werewolf: balanced rules for Lycanthropy!
I have started discussing/reviewing 3rd party D&D content on Substack - stay tuned for semi-regular posts!
So, this is a still newish campaign, we're level 4 at the moment and our DM really... really... REALLY likes Homebrew... so we have Monster Hunter monster in our campaign. The last session had us fighting Anjanath and my character (Level 3 Battle Master) dealt 96 out of 136HP the Anjanath had. Fast forward a bit and our Paladin has a PTSD to the point of freezing in place while my character and the ranger has to carry them while watching Astalos and Zinogre fight and threatening all of our lives. Soo yea... Almost died multiple times and it was hella fun
Useful resources: Catbox, Free BG/Scenery/WP (Pixiv), Free Patterns (Pixiv), Game-icons, PetPet Generator
Two level 3’s and one level 5 (rogue, druid, monk in that order) killed all of an adult black dragons guards, then slew the dragon itself. It was a truly awesome combat, with all the players having to think hard and tactically about the situation. Spells such as heat metal turned the heavy armour of the dragonborn guards against them, the players had spent some time concocting potions to smear their weapons with a poisoner’s kit, and the level five (a human monk by name of Fargrim Goliathfist, serving the mysterious order of the flame) had gotten a potent magical upgrade to their weaponry earlier in the campaign. The dragon was caught sleeping and the monk used a ring of invisiblity to get close and then stun the dragon for a round while the druid used area of effect attacks to bombard the dragonborn. They were doing great until the dragon woke up and knocked the rogue from full HP to zero with 55 points of damage, and put the druid and the monk down to five and eight respectively. The remaining two kept fighting, but the druid was knocked to zero as well and the monk pursued the dragon down an underground river. Throughout all of this the players were impeccably kind and polite to myself and each other. They never complained even when it looked as though the Rabin was about to slaughter them, coordinated their attacks without bogging down the session with to much talk, and excitedly divided up the treasure amongst themselves once the dragon was dead. The dragon had no hoard, but the players still took the horns, fangs, venom glands, talons, heart, and scaly skin, as well as several pints of blood, which in my world is smoked as a drug, and is extremely valuable. They were incredibly kind with their thanks afterward, and I can honestly say that it was some if the most fun I’ve had playing this game. Am set to plat them again later today, wish me luck!
Be Excellent to one another. Rock on dude.