"Dawn breaks on a small coastal town, folk are early out to the docks for there is much to be done, boats slip their moorings to sail past the break at high tide, merchants set stalls in salt spray of rickety square, and fishermen draw in the nets to see what the storm brought in, and so it is a net that begins our tale. Five strangers snagged in the fishers snare, five survivors of a ship dashed on the rocks, are they pirates or smugglers? Maybe simple travelers, or merchants with now drowned cargo? Foreign mercenaries or perhaps... just what this place needs." Hello all prospect catches, I'm looking to gather 5 people to run a ocean themed adventure on a discord server, in a homebrew setting with a few unknown faces. As far as the world goes, you'll be nestled into a cozy if not salty corner of a world I have spent quiet some time on, with this being my fifth campaign in this setting albeit a different breed from my normal west marches style games, something closer to what you might call a traditional game of DnD. To give you what to expect from me as a dm, I prioritize two things, one is fun, its a game after all and I want to ensure my players enjoyed some part of my sessions, be that befriending a barmaid and her pet lobster Smokin Roger, or the satisfying relief of crawling out of a dangerous dungeon alive. Second is player freedom, its dungeons and dragons, one of the most versatile games ever made, do what interests you rather whatever nonsense I had planned, that's why a DM is good at improv, however keep in mind that doesn't mean murder the entire party on whim or undo another players hard work, unless the entire party decides a five way shootout for the treasure is reasonable, then I'll hand each a pistol. If you are new, don't worry I'll teach you the game. A veteran? I might show you a different view from your regular DM. Wanna play but scheduling is abysmal? I can always bring in new people to cover or replace the eternal flakes. As far as scheduling goes, I live on the west coast of the us, so I intend to run sessions of an average of 3-4 hours at 6pm PST every Sunday. As far as ways to play go, I dont care if you have a pen and paper sheet and real dice, want to run off of dndbeyond or roll20 or just rely on Notepad and a discord dice bot, as long as I can see a character sheet I'm not bothered. You will also need a microphone of some variety Lastly a few questions to help me understand you as a player, and to help me ensure the party is looking for at least a similar style of game. Whats your level of experience with DnD? Whats your favorite class? Whats you age? You can be vague, in personal experience party's work best when players are within the same decade of age. What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? Combat? Roleplay? Not leaving the tavern for ten sessions? What kind of character do you have in mind? Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play, such as an undying devotion to Skibbles the Goblin who you met two minutes ago? Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why, even just one word. Its important to me personally.
Wellerman Leave her Johnny Drunken Sailor Tyme Flyes When You're Havin' Rum The Flying Dutchman Maw of the King Cheer Up Me Lads Old Maui Joli Rouge Your Choice if you are interested dm me with the answers to these questions or reply with them here
I just got in dnd so this could be my first campaign. I am 16 years old.I have been making characters to see which class looks good and I like the rogue. The most interesting part in a session is the player interacting with npc's so role play and a little combat to. I would like my character my character to be a tiefling rogue it sound cool. I would like to give my characters a backstory to make them feel more alive to me. My favorite of the sea shanties is the Drunken Sailor it sounds fun and exciting. Also my discord name is oni#4574
This sounds fun! I have a good bit of experience but mostly from oneshots. I'm 21 years old. Most interesting part of a session for me is probably rp and character growth closely followed by interesting dynamic combat. I have an exciting idea for a paladin I've been wanting to try out but I'd want to get it DM approved first. I'd want to have a backstory for an extended campaign. favorite sea shanties "The jolly roving tar" & "Here's a health to the company" I like their vibes like it's a group of friends gathering and having a good time. discord name is jam_gam
Whats your level of experience with DnD? -I have no experience with DnD but would love to learn a lot and enjoy possible outcomes of the campaign
Whats your favorite class? - I would like to be a rouge and be stealthy : D Seems fun if people don't see ya. Cleric would be my second choice cuz its amazing to heal people.
Whats you age? You can be vague, in personal experience party's work best when players are within the same decade of age. - I have revolved around the sun 22 times
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? Combat? Roleplay? Not leaving the tavern for ten sessions? -The roleplay and the character dynamics and engagement. Mostly the funny parts in an adventure
What kind of character do you have in mind? fun and silent, likes cute stuff and likes to be around happy people since he could feel their warm smiles
Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play, such as an undying devotion to Skibbles the Goblin who you met two minutes ago? -having a vague backstory and build up my character throughout the campaign : D
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why, even just one word. Its important to me personally. - "Drunken Sailor" cuz booze : D
Two of my friends and myself are very much interested in participating in this as our last Homebrew DND session only has gone on for 2 sessions, but the DM has quite a busy schedule and hasn't been able to do the sessions. I'm going to post all three of our responses here:
Me:
My level of experience is pretty new, but my two other friends and I played two sessions, so we have some experience rather than none at all. I'm 21 years old. What I find most interesting about DND is the storytelling and immersion. Since the previous DND session that my two other friends and I were participating is similar to this one, albeit it being a pirate/medieval theme, I would probably use the same character, but revised to fit this theme better (some of the backstory was specific to that homebrew). Also, my backstory for the character was 3 pages so I would condense quite a bit. It was a changeling sorcerer that uses wild magic that has over average intelligence but -3 wisdom, so he fails at common sense. Going into the session was having a goal but using the sessions to develop their personality. I would have to say that out of the options, the Flying Dutchman is partaking in an impossible task against impossible enemies.
RengarBallz:
I have done two sessions so far so I'm still somewhat new to dnd but I've gotten the idea of most things so I would say I'm okay! I'm 20 and the most interesting things I have find in a session is combat and dialogue! I'm not sure but I got like a tortle in mind or not going to lie not sure my favorite class is a paladin. I like backstories and just have a hard time putting all my thoughts into one story so takes me a day or two to make one. The Flying Dutchman reminds me of Davey Jones and his weird sea creatures of a crew it's really cool and I like it!
Melio
I have 2 sessions worth of DnD experience. My favorite class would be the fighter class. N/A. The interactions between characters is the best part to me, so roleplay. Not sure what kind of character i'm looking to make yet. Backstories are important to make my characters. The Flying Dutchman
What's your level of experience with DnD? I have a decent amount of experience with DnD 5e, I have been playing and dming on and off for the past 5-6 years.
What's your favorite class? I don't really have a favorite class, but I have the most experience with Druid, Warlock and Rogue.
What's your age? 24
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? I like a game that has good balance of social interaction, exploration and combat.
What kind of character do you have in mind? I usually like to fill the gaps in the party dynamic and can pretty much play any role so I usually wait for the other players to make characters before deciding on what the party might need.
Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play? I usually make a loose backstory for my characters and then let them develop within the game.
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why. "Leave her Johnny" because I like the calming and slightly sad vibes.
If you wish to contact me, you can send me a message on Discord. My Discord username is undeadking42o or Undeadking42o#8826.
Whats your level of experience with DnD- 1 year of playing experience
Whats your favorite class- Rouges definitely
Whats you age- 27
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session- Definitely Rp and just meshing with the party members but combat is a close second lol
What kind of character do you have in mind? A swashbuckling rouge of course
Do you care about having a backstory- I definitely care about my character’s backstory it helps me play as that character and makes the experience waaay more fun.
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why- Its most definitely Leave her Johnny leave her, We’ve all had that one person in our life who is better off as a memory right??? Or is that just me lol.
my discord is price0ffreedom I hope to hear back from you I like the sound of this nautical adventure.
- I've been playing DnD since freahman year, on and off, so about 8-9 years. I haven't been playing all the time, but that is when I started.
Whats your favorite class?
- That's hard. I'm definitely partial to bard, sorcerer, and rogue. Bard and sorcerer are there because they lean to the type of character I prefer to play, which is the charming performer type.
Whats you age?
- I am 24 next month.
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? Combat? Roleplay? Not leaving the tavern for ten sessions?
- I think, if done right, roleplay is my favorite. But it can't be the same scene for all session otherwise I will get bored. Combatis also fairly fun, though, it does tend to drag on after a while.
What kind of character do you have in mind?
- I'm leaning towards either a fighter, gunslinger if you'd allow, who is a pirate and famous and infamous for their trick shots. Or a soulknife rogue, pending on everything else.
Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play, such as an undying devotion to Skibbles the Goblin who you met two minutes ago?
- A little bit of both. I'll write up a basic backstory, just a couple of paragraphs, and then work with the DM, you in this case, as I continue to flesh out the backstory.
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why, even just one word. Its important to me personally.
- I have to pick 'Maw of the King', because not only is it a banger, but it's by Cami and I love her music. It's perfection.
Whats your level of experience with DnD? I have been playing for the past three to four years. I've been a player in three campaigns and am currently DMing a campaign for my friends.
Whats your favorite class? So far, Sorcerer. I love playing with Wild Magic and never really knowing what's going to happen. I like having to strategize a bit more than just "run in and whack 'em" and have always loved having a group that embraces chaos. As a DM though I have thoroughly enjoyed running a few Clerics, Barbarians and Bards.
Whats you age? You can be vague, in personal experience party's work best when players are within the same decade of age. I'm 28.
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? Combat? Roleplay? Not leaving the tavern for ten sessions? I love the roleplay element of dnd. There's something so endearing about collaborative storytelling and having a "table" of players who weave their stories together as they spend time with one another on an adventure. That to me can mean sitting around in a tavern and talking, but more often than not it's getting creative on missions and doing random things together in game to bond and keep things fun. Combat is also something I enjoy, especially when it serves a purpose.
What kind of character do you have in mind? I'd like to play a spellcaster, but I don't particularly care what. Happy to build something to fit the need of a party, or to build something based on the setting. I was thinking maybe a half-elf sorcerer with a sailor background or perhaps a tempest cleric. Again, very wiling to adjust and will even play a barbarian or rogue if that's preferred.
Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play, such as an undying devotion to Skibbles the Goblin who you met two minutes ago? For my own guidance I'll make sure I have a backstory fleshed out before we start playing. However, I love those unexpected moments in game that shape characters and take them to unexpected places.
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why, even just one word. Its important to me personally. Leave her, Johnny. It's haunting, poignant and yet it really makes you want to go on an adventure and fall in love with the sea.
First of all, love the campaign idea. Sounds amazing! So, to begin, I am fairly new to DnD. I have only played a few campigns. I myself have DM'd only a handful of times. My friend noticed that I'm EXTREMELY creative and quick on my feet so he thought I would be a good DM, and they said they were right, so I guess I am! They also noticed that because I'm quick on my feet and creative, I usually don't go the "normal" route as far as solving a problem. I always make a campaign interesting I've been told! HaHa My favorite class? Definitely gotta be either tank or druid. I think I'm leaning towards the druid. I love being able to shift into different animals! Can do SOOOO much with that! I am 28. The most interesting part to me is either RPing or the story (more so, a good twist at the end). My characters are normally the "rough around the edges" kind of guy. Not normally the nicest, but you mess with his family or friends (party included in friends/family), and you'll regret it! Big ol' teddy bear basically LOL I LOVE LOVE LOVE having a backstory. I've unfortunately never been in a campaign where they actually used the backstory I wrote. I normally write pretty good length backstories so it gives the DM PLENTY to work with. Honestly, my favorite is probably going to be Wellerman because it's the first sea shanty I ever heard and to this day, is probably still my favorite.
Hello! I'm rather new to playing DnD aside from a little skirmish I had in a discord server once. Personally I like Fighters that multi class into other classes. I've recently turned 20 this year and really want to play a campain at least once in my life. Amazing idea for a campain btw. I find that the most intersting part of a session is combat proceeded by roleplay, ala, "We've run away from a fight and are planning a way to hide and rest". I currently have a Swashbuckler Rouge/Fighter multi-class in my head, that I want to do but I don't really have a backstory for them yet, I'll make one when I make the character. Though I can quickly create some odd or fun little quirks. I also enjoy Leave Her Johnny, beacuse it's fun to sing.
"Dawn breaks on a small coastal town, folk are early out to the docks for there is much to be done, boats slip their moorings to sail past the break at high tide, merchants set stalls in salt spray of rickety square, and fishermen draw in the nets to see what the storm brought in, and so it is a net that begins our tale. Five strangers snagged in the fishers snare, five survivors of a ship dashed on the rocks, are they pirates or smugglers? Maybe simple travelers, or merchants with now drowned cargo? Foreign mercenaries or perhaps... just what this place needs."
Hello all prospect catches, I'm looking to gather 5 people to run a ocean themed adventure on a discord server, in a homebrew setting with a few unknown faces. As far as the world goes, you'll be nestled into a cozy if not salty corner of a world I have spent quiet some time on, with this being my fifth campaign in this setting albeit a different breed from my normal west marches style games, something closer to what you might call a traditional game of DnD. To give you what to expect from me as a dm, I prioritize two things, one is fun, its a game after all and I want to ensure my players enjoyed some part of my sessions, be that befriending a barmaid and her pet lobster Smokin Roger, or the satisfying relief of crawling out of a dangerous dungeon alive. Second is player freedom, its dungeons and dragons, one of the most versatile games ever made, do what interests you rather whatever nonsense I had planned, that's why a DM is good at improv, however keep in mind that doesn't mean murder the entire party on whim or undo another players hard work, unless the entire party decides a five way shootout for the treasure is reasonable, then I'll hand each a pistol. If you are new, don't worry I'll teach you the game. A veteran? I might show you a different view from your regular DM. Wanna play but scheduling is abysmal? I can always bring in new people to cover or replace the eternal flakes. As far as scheduling goes, I live on the west coast of the us, so I intend to run sessions of an average of 3-4 hours at 6pm PST every Sunday. As far as ways to play go, I dont care if you have a pen and paper sheet and real dice, want to run off of dndbeyond or roll20 or just rely on Notepad and a discord dice bot, as long as I can see a character sheet I'm not bothered. You will also need a microphone of some variety
Lastly a few questions to help me understand you as a player, and to help me ensure the party is looking for at least a similar style of game.
Whats your level of experience with DnD?
Whats your favorite class?
Whats you age? You can be vague, in personal experience party's work best when players are within the same decade of age.
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? Combat? Roleplay? Not leaving the tavern for ten sessions?
What kind of character do you have in mind?
Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play, such as an undying devotion to Skibbles the Goblin who you met two minutes ago?
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why, even just one word. Its important to me personally.
Wellerman
Leave her Johnny
Drunken Sailor
Tyme Flyes When You're Havin' Rum
The Flying Dutchman
Maw of the King
Cheer Up Me Lads
Old Maui
Joli Rouge
Your Choice
if you are interested dm me with the answers to these questions or reply with them here
I just got in dnd so this could be my first campaign. I am 16 years old.I have been making characters to see which class looks good and I like the rogue. The most interesting part in a session is the player interacting with npc's so role play and a little combat to. I would like my character my character to be a tiefling rogue it sound cool. I would like to give my characters a backstory to make them feel more alive to me. My favorite of the sea shanties is the Drunken Sailor it sounds fun and exciting. Also my discord name is oni#4574
This sounds fun! I have a good bit of experience but mostly from oneshots. I'm 21 years old. Most interesting part of a session for me is probably rp and character growth closely followed by interesting dynamic combat. I have an exciting idea for a paladin I've been wanting to try out but I'd want to get it DM approved first. I'd want to have a backstory for an extended campaign. favorite sea shanties "The jolly roving tar" & "Here's a health to the company" I like their vibes like it's a group of friends gathering and having a good time. discord name is jam_gam
Whats your level of experience with DnD?
-I have no experience with DnD but would love to learn a lot and enjoy possible outcomes of the campaign
Whats your favorite class?
- I would like to be a rouge and be stealthy : D Seems fun if people don't see ya. Cleric would be my second choice cuz its amazing to heal people.
Whats you age? You can be vague, in personal experience party's work best when players are within the same decade of age.
- I have revolved around the sun 22 times
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? Combat? Roleplay? Not leaving the tavern for ten sessions?
-The roleplay and the character dynamics and engagement. Mostly the funny parts in an adventure
What kind of character do you have in mind?
fun and silent, likes cute stuff and likes to be around happy people since he could feel their warm smiles
Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play, such as an undying devotion to Skibbles the Goblin who you met two minutes ago?
-having a vague backstory and build up my character throughout the campaign : D
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why, even just one word. Its important to me personally.
- "Drunken Sailor" cuz booze : D
Two of my friends and myself are very much interested in participating in this as our last Homebrew DND session only has gone on for 2 sessions, but the DM has quite a busy schedule and hasn't been able to do the sessions. I'm going to post all three of our responses here:
Me:
My level of experience is pretty new, but my two other friends and I played two sessions, so we have some experience rather than none at all. I'm 21 years old. What I find most interesting about DND is the storytelling and immersion. Since the previous DND session that my two other friends and I were participating is similar to this one, albeit it being a pirate/medieval theme, I would probably use the same character, but revised to fit this theme better (some of the backstory was specific to that homebrew). Also, my backstory for the character was 3 pages so I would condense quite a bit. It was a changeling sorcerer that uses wild magic that has over average intelligence but -3 wisdom, so he fails at common sense. Going into the session was having a goal but using the sessions to develop their personality. I would have to say that out of the options, the Flying Dutchman is partaking in an impossible task against impossible enemies.
RengarBallz:
I have done two sessions so far so I'm still somewhat new to dnd but I've gotten the idea of most things so I would say I'm okay! I'm 20 and the most interesting things I have find in a session is combat and dialogue! I'm not sure but I got like a tortle in mind or not going to lie not sure my favorite class is a paladin. I like backstories and just have a hard time putting all my thoughts into one story so takes me a day or two to make one. The Flying Dutchman reminds me of Davey Jones and his weird sea creatures of a crew it's really cool and I like it!
Melio
I have 2 sessions worth of DnD experience. My favorite class would be the fighter class. N/A. The interactions between characters is the best part to me, so roleplay. Not sure what kind of character i'm looking to make yet. Backstories are important to make my characters. The Flying Dutchman
If you wish to contact me, you can send me a message on Discord. My Discord username is undeadking42o or Undeadking42o#8826.
edit: can no longer attend
Whats your level of experience with DnD- 1 year of playing experience
Whats your favorite class- Rouges definitely
Whats you age- 27
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session- Definitely Rp and just meshing with the party members but combat is a close second lol
What kind of character do you have in mind? A swashbuckling rouge of course
Do you care about having a backstory- I definitely care about my character’s backstory it helps me play as that character and makes the experience waaay more fun.
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why- Its most definitely Leave her Johnny leave her, We’ve all had that one person in our life who is better off as a memory right??? Or is that just me lol.
my discord is price0ffreedom I hope to hear back from you I like the sound of this nautical adventure.
I have never played dnd and I just got into it.
I don't really have a favorite class yet.
I am 14.
I find rp the most fun thing in really any game that has it.
I would like to try a fighter goliath with a metal arm.
I do care about having a backstory as it can add a whole layer to an otherwise bland character.
My favorite would have to be Wellerman because it was my first sea shanty and I think I sing it pretty well.
My discord is Doomslayer1645.
Whats your level of experience with DnD?
- I've been playing DnD since freahman year, on and off, so about 8-9 years. I haven't been playing all the time, but that is when I started.
Whats your favorite class?
- That's hard. I'm definitely partial to bard, sorcerer, and rogue. Bard and sorcerer are there because they lean to the type of character I prefer to play, which is the charming performer type.
Whats you age?
- I am 24 next month.
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? Combat? Roleplay? Not leaving the tavern for ten sessions?
- I think, if done right, roleplay is my favorite. But it can't be the same scene for all session otherwise I will get bored. Combatis also fairly fun, though, it does tend to drag on after a while.
What kind of character do you have in mind?
- I'm leaning towards either a fighter, gunslinger if you'd allow, who is a pirate and famous and infamous for their trick shots. Or a soulknife rogue, pending on everything else.
Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play, such as an undying devotion to Skibbles the Goblin who you met two minutes ago?
- A little bit of both. I'll write up a basic backstory, just a couple of paragraphs, and then work with the DM, you in this case, as I continue to flesh out the backstory.
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why, even just one word. Its important to me personally.
- I have to pick 'Maw of the King', because not only is it a banger, but it's by Cami and I love her music. It's perfection.
Whats your level of experience with DnD?
I have been playing for the past three to four years. I've been a player in three campaigns and am currently DMing a campaign for my friends.
Whats your favorite class?
So far, Sorcerer. I love playing with Wild Magic and never really knowing what's going to happen. I like having to strategize a bit more than just "run in and whack 'em" and have always loved having a group that embraces chaos. As a DM though I have thoroughly enjoyed running a few Clerics, Barbarians and Bards.
Whats you age? You can be vague, in personal experience party's work best when players are within the same decade of age.
I'm 28.
What do you find to be the most interesting part of a session? Combat? Roleplay? Not leaving the tavern for ten sessions?
I love the roleplay element of dnd. There's something so endearing about collaborative storytelling and having a "table" of players who weave their stories together as they spend time with one another on an adventure. That to me can mean sitting around in a tavern and talking, but more often than not it's getting creative on missions and doing random things together in game to bond and keep things fun. Combat is also something I enjoy, especially when it serves a purpose.
What kind of character do you have in mind?
I'd like to play a spellcaster, but I don't particularly care what. Happy to build something to fit the need of a party, or to build something based on the setting. I was thinking maybe a half-elf sorcerer with a sailor background or perhaps a tempest cleric. Again, very wiling to adjust and will even play a barbarian or rogue if that's preferred.
Do you care about having a backstory? Or do you find it easier to find what makes your character during play, such as an undying devotion to Skibbles the Goblin who you met two minutes ago?
For my own guidance I'll make sure I have a backstory fleshed out before we start playing. However, I love those unexpected moments in game that shape characters and take them to unexpected places.
Pick a favorite of the following sea shanties and tell me why, even just one word. Its important to me personally.
Leave her, Johnny. It's haunting, poignant and yet it really makes you want to go on an adventure and fall in love with the sea.
First of all, love the campaign idea. Sounds amazing! So, to begin, I am fairly new to DnD. I have only played a few campigns. I myself have DM'd only a handful of times. My friend noticed that I'm EXTREMELY creative and quick on my feet so he thought I would be a good DM, and they said they were right, so I guess I am! They also noticed that because I'm quick on my feet and creative, I usually don't go the "normal" route as far as solving a problem. I always make a campaign interesting I've been told! HaHa My favorite class? Definitely gotta be either tank or druid. I think I'm leaning towards the druid. I love being able to shift into different animals! Can do SOOOO much with that! I am 28. The most interesting part to me is either RPing or the story (more so, a good twist at the end). My characters are normally the "rough around the edges" kind of guy. Not normally the nicest, but you mess with his family or friends (party included in friends/family), and you'll regret it! Big ol' teddy bear basically LOL I LOVE LOVE LOVE having a backstory. I've unfortunately never been in a campaign where they actually used the backstory I wrote. I normally write pretty good length backstories so it gives the DM PLENTY to work with. Honestly, my favorite is probably going to be Wellerman because it's the first sea shanty I ever heard and to this day, is probably still my favorite.
Hello! I'm rather new to playing DnD aside from a little skirmish I had in a discord server once. Personally I like Fighters that multi class into other classes. I've recently turned 20 this year and really want to play a campain at least once in my life. Amazing idea for a campain btw. I find that the most intersting part of a session is combat proceeded by roleplay, ala, "We've run away from a fight and are planning a way to hide and rest". I currently have a Swashbuckler Rouge/Fighter multi-class in my head, that I want to do but I don't really have a backstory for them yet, I'll make one when I make the character. Though I can quickly create some odd or fun little quirks. I also enjoy Leave Her Johnny, beacuse it's fun to sing.
My discord ID is: #quetzal7301
Thanks you all for your interest but I have gathered my five, however should anyone drop, I'll consider those not chosen for a backup slot