All aboard for a homebrew one-shot where the PC's are working as hired hands for a riverboat tour company!
This campaign is light-to-medium on combat and moderate on noncombat encounters and NPC interaction. The tone is meant to be fun more than dark/gritty, but we won't shy away from grim scenes if that's where the PC's end up. I also tried to design this one-shot to be more fun for DM's in that there is a pool of different kinds of tourist NPC's to draw from, each with certain quirks that change the nature of the campaign. As a one-shot, it's very short, IRL playtime should be definitely less than 5 hours.
I post a lot by phone which means not much in the way of fancy formatting, pictures, maps, etc. I also like a decent pace. Daily posting will be expected as the minimum.
If you're interested, please roll up a level 1 character who is going to work as a hired hand for a riverboat tour company and reply to this post with your character info. Your character doesn't need to have a complex backstory, it's just a one-shot. Your character has been trained to help operate a riverboat that is going to take tourists up a river into a jungle on a 3-night journey, they just haven't actually done the trip yet. They can bring with them all the gear that is typical for a level 1 adventurer to own.
Use any stat generation method you like, and anything published for 5e is fine with me. I feel comfortable adjusting encounters and situations on the fly as needed for unusual or OP characters. But your character should be someone who is going to work as a hired hand for a riverboat tour company, don't be a fish out of water please. We will use the DNDBeyond campaign functionality so that I have access to your character sheets and can use the game log for rolling directly on your character sheet, if you like. I've grown to prefer this method of rolling on these forums, but if you still want to roll in-post, go for it.
ALSO please choose "easy mode" or "hard mode" in your post, as the campaign also accounts for that.
I'll leave this thread open for at least 24 hours because I'll be occupied with skiing tomorrow, so decisions/invitations won't be made till tomorrow night. I'm hoping for 3-5 PC's.
I ran the campaign for the first time last night with my family and they liked it. We finished the campaign in 3 hours but I had trimmed out one of the encounters and they had also managed to dodge most of the combat scenarios. I want to get more reps with this campaign and get it fine-tuned. So let's see who's interested!
Gil Egan served in the navy with the captain/owner and accidentally saved him from being killed during a sahuagin attack. Upon retirement, the captain used his savings to buy the riverboat, and hired his "little buddy", Gil Egan, as his first mate.
Gil is not the smartest man in the world but unlike many he absolutely knows it so just does his best to help where and when he can, good natured he will always go out of his way to help but his clumsy nature and lack of smarts often let him down.
He often wears a baggy red tunic over his armour to keep the bugs off and a floppy white hat to keep the sun off.
Easy Mode preferred, but I'm not really fussed either way.
Morgan Diamondhammer was born by his mother and father in the midst of a raging wildfire. Although his mother and father quickly perished, Morgan, against all odds, was rescued by a pack of wolves. The wolves taught him their ways, as he learned to fight, and survive in the wilderness. Eventually, a tribe of barbarians took him in. They taught him how to fight, and he learned quickly. Eventually, a sense of wanderlust grew within him, and he grew bored even while traveling with his tribe. He decided to leave them to discover civilization and become an adventurer.
Backstory: When Burt grew up his family business supplied light beer to a nearby halfling enclave and he dutifully stepped into his forefathers foot prints. After a few years, the halflings moved on. Burt tried to explore other opportunities but the nearby elves weren’t fond of beer. In a final attempt to rescue his failing business he ventured further with his goods and offered it for sale to a larger dwarves stronghold. For the dwarfs his beer lacked soul as they put it and he faced the end of his family tradition. Looking to recover from his bankruptcy he signed up for an easy job on a steam boat to manage the engine. Should be simple enough, he’d been working on large ovens all his life and there really wasn’t much choice when you didn’t want to risk your life.
Sorry, I'm on vacation and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
Role: Chef, call him a cook if you want slop for dinner.
Background: Fisher
Backstory: Nuha was a decent hunter, if an underwater one so perhaps fisher is more accurate, but he was getting a bit tired of his hometown and in one of his visits to a coastal town to trade his interest was caught by a strange establishment. He had heard of restaurants before, but had never given them much thought. Seeing this one supposedly specialized in “seafood” and having some spare coin he decided to go for a change of pace and see just how many ways people on land could think to prepare fish.
Two years later, completely forgetting about heading home, Nuha completed his apprenticeship as a chef and sharing his own people’s methods for eating certain fish raw, and decided he would travel and work to find new fish and recipes to prepare and enjoy, currently trying out new river fish dishes while working for a tour company.
As for easy or hard I will go with whatever ends up being the majority.
Backstory, hailing from the ocean, he was found and became the first mate of his caretakers sailing ship, and got fighting training. When their ship sunk, he was the only survivor, and with his warrior training, and his love for/background with the water, he became the hired bodyguard for this riverboat's captain. His family sunk on the old ship, so he sees this as a job, and nothing more, so he won't be keen on being social with customers (which might change mid game if circumstances make it so)
As I am in a few of your other adventures, I shall join as I am always looking for groups to play with.
Name:Milo Thornborough von Karma (von Karma for short)
Race: Lightfoot Halfling
Class:Monk
Role: Lookout
Backround: Soldier
Backstory:
Von Karma was born into a costal village near the west with his parents, yet they had strict laws for military service. At the age of 20 he was drafted into the military to protect the small town, frequently having nothing noteworthy. One day, a strange entity walked towards the town hall, large and bulky. The people soon realised it meant trouble, and he was called in for battle. He was meditating to get rid of the harsh memories of previous, yet easier battles. The fight against the rock being was arduous, because it had common sense. After killing one of their members, it picked up his greatsword and swung right at Von Karma, leaving a scar across his face and the need for his eye to be removed. Soon after, the beast was slain. After the injury, Milo began to hone what he had left of his sight, his hearing and his other senses, as well as his speed to avoid this from happening. He has recovered both mentally and physically, and applies to help out the riverboat tour company.
Appearance: He is an incredibly short halfling, even for their standards, wearing a full leather outfit including an eyepatch and backpack, and he carries a deck of cards, a spear, a dagger, and an explorers pack as well as 10 darts.
Easy mode please, he’s already lost one eye, doesn’t need to lose another.
Book your trip today with Captain Squirm Circuit and get ready for a week-long cruise up the exotic Kor'koh'a River. Relax aboard Captain Circuit's ship, the well-equipped River Jewel, as you delve into the jungles, visit interesting indigenous jungle-folk, and feast your eyes on strange and wondrous sights! Culminating in a sunrise hike to the famous Sky Crystal waterfall!
~ ~ ~
So states the rather garishly painted sign adorning the entrance to the River Jewel's private slip on the docks of the city of Gloam. The city is known as the furthest upstream on the Kor'koh'a River, civilization not daring to push deeper into the untamed Kor'koh'a jungle... yet. Situated as it is on the edge of the "cultured empire", the city is an odd mix of laborers spending their days harvesting the bounties of the jungle and sending the goods downstream, and well-to-do tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of the untamed.
You lot have started your day scrubbing the decks of the River Jewel as she rests in her slip, and otherwise preparing the craft for departure. Captain Circuit, a diminutive yet highly intelligent old gnome, has informed you that he has signed on a number of tourists and that the River Jewel shall be expedition-ready this morning, with all hands on deck. The wooden ship is a well-weathered and adventure-proven vessel, sporting a boxy shape about 45 feet long and 25 feet wide, with a generous hull. The deck is flat, railed all around and dominated by a large covered dining area, with stairs at bow and stern that lead belowdecks. The two sets of stairs are connected belowdecks by a straight hall running the length of the ship, with four 10x10 rooms on each side of the hall. The ship's method of locomotion is a secret, and when asked, Captain Circuit is fond of replying, "It's part of the mystique that makes the tour more fun!"
Captain Circuit has further made it clear to you deck hands that your primary objective will be to keep the tourists safe and happy. This will lead to bigger tips. Those that cannot adequately accommodate the guests during the expedition may find that they do not have a job any more once the ship returns to Gloam.
~ ~ ~
Here comes the captain now, with a group of tourists in tow. He invites them onto the docks and points the way to the ship as you lot put the finishing touches on your chores. As a gnome, Captain Circuit is small but sprightly, and he dashes aboard the ship to welcome on the tourists. As part of your training, you know to stand at attention as the tourists board and introduce yourselves. Customer service is an important part of the tour.
First to board the River Jewel after the Captain are two humans, man and woman, clearly a romantic couple. They are arm-in-arm, their mood is cheerful bordering on giddy, and they can hardly pay attention to anything around them as they are continually gazing at each other and smiling foolishly. "Hello there," says the man, "I'm Chester, and this is my bride, Kress. We've just been married and this trip shall be our honeymoon!"
How shall you introduce yourselves?
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All aboard for a homebrew one-shot where the PC's are working as hired hands for a riverboat tour company!
This campaign is light-to-medium on combat and moderate on noncombat encounters and NPC interaction. The tone is meant to be fun more than dark/gritty, but we won't shy away from grim scenes if that's where the PC's end up. I also tried to design this one-shot to be more fun for DM's in that there is a pool of different kinds of tourist NPC's to draw from, each with certain quirks that change the nature of the campaign. As a one-shot, it's very short, IRL playtime should be definitely less than 5 hours.
I post a lot by phone which means not much in the way of fancy formatting, pictures, maps, etc. I also like a decent pace. Daily posting will be expected as the minimum.
If you're interested, please roll up a level 1 character who is going to work as a hired hand for a riverboat tour company and reply to this post with your character info. Your character doesn't need to have a complex backstory, it's just a one-shot. Your character has been trained to help operate a riverboat that is going to take tourists up a river into a jungle on a 3-night journey, they just haven't actually done the trip yet. They can bring with them all the gear that is typical for a level 1 adventurer to own.
Use any stat generation method you like, and anything published for 5e is fine with me. I feel comfortable adjusting encounters and situations on the fly as needed for unusual or OP characters. But your character should be someone who is going to work as a hired hand for a riverboat tour company, don't be a fish out of water please. We will use the DNDBeyond campaign functionality so that I have access to your character sheets and can use the game log for rolling directly on your character sheet, if you like. I've grown to prefer this method of rolling on these forums, but if you still want to roll in-post, go for it.
ALSO please choose "easy mode" or "hard mode" in your post, as the campaign also accounts for that.
I'll leave this thread open for at least 24 hours because I'll be occupied with skiing tomorrow, so decisions/invitations won't be made till tomorrow night. I'm hoping for 3-5 PC's.
I ran the campaign for the first time last night with my family and they liked it. We finished the campaign in 3 hours but I had trimmed out one of the encounters and they had also managed to dodge most of the combat scenarios. I want to get more reps with this campaign and get it fine-tuned. So let's see who's interested!
Sounds fun, what is the deadline for a character? I'm currently on a trip until Wednesday but I can send a concept after that :)
Player:
Snikkit Sparks - Gnome Artificier (Alchemist) 3 | Stranger Things: Hunt for the Thessalhydra
Theron Pyllae - Variant Human Fighter 1 | Shell Island
Riwakan Thioscale - Dragonborn Fighter (Battle Master) 5 | Adventures in the Sands: Lost Tomb of Meneptah (Group 2)
DM:
Derailed Dreams - Panic on the Zakhara Express
.
Discord PBP's should have there own sections
Sorry to disappoint you but
Discord PBP's should have there own sections
I decided to not take part in this anymore
Discord PBP's should have there own sections
yep
Discord PBP's should have there own sections
I don't wanna do this anymore
Discord PBP's should have there own sections
Dude it's not an airport, you don't have to announce your departure in every thread.
Player:
Snikkit Sparks - Gnome Artificier (Alchemist) 3 | Stranger Things: Hunt for the Thessalhydra
Theron Pyllae - Variant Human Fighter 1 | Shell Island
Riwakan Thioscale - Dragonborn Fighter (Battle Master) 5 | Adventures in the Sands: Lost Tomb of Meneptah (Group 2)
DM:
Derailed Dreams - Panic on the Zakhara Express
k
Discord PBP's should have there own sections
will keep that in mind for the future
Discord PBP's should have there own sections
https://ddb.ac/characters/91089112/AOD8I4
Gil Egan served in the navy with the captain/owner and accidentally saved him from being killed during a sahuagin attack. Upon retirement, the captain used his savings to buy the riverboat, and hired his "little buddy", Gil Egan, as his first mate.
Gil is not the smartest man in the world but unlike many he absolutely knows it so just does his best to help where and when he can, good natured he will always go out of his way to help but his clumsy nature and lack of smarts often let him down.
He often wears a baggy red tunic over his armour to keep the bugs off and a floppy white hat to keep the sun off.
Easy Mode preferred, but I'm not really fussed either way.
Morgran Diamondhammer
Race: Mountain Dwarf
Class: Barbarian
Background: Outlander
Backstory:
Morgan Diamondhammer was born by his mother and father in the midst of a raging wildfire. Although his mother and father quickly perished, Morgan, against all odds, was rescued by a pack of wolves. The wolves taught him their ways, as he learned to fight, and survive in the wilderness. Eventually, a tribe of barbarians took him in. They taught him how to fight, and he learned quickly. Eventually, a sense of wanderlust grew within him, and he grew bored even while traveling with his tribe. He decided to leave them to discover civilization and become an adventurer.
DMing:
Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Playing:
None sadly.
Optimization Guides:
Literally Too Angry to Die - A Guide to Optimizing a Barbarian
Burt Brannon
Race: Human
Class: Artificer
Role: steam engine engineer
Background: Failed merchant (Brewer)
Backstory: When Burt grew up his family business supplied light beer to a nearby halfling enclave and he dutifully stepped into his forefathers foot prints. After a few years, the halflings moved on. Burt tried to explore other opportunities but the nearby elves weren’t fond of beer. In a final attempt to rescue his failing business he ventured further with his goods and offered it for sale to a larger dwarves stronghold. For the dwarfs his beer lacked soul as they put it and he faced the end of his family tradition. Looking to recover from his bankruptcy he signed up for an easy job on a steam boat to manage the engine. Should be simple enough, he’d been working on large ovens all his life and there really wasn’t much choice when you didn’t want to risk your life.
prefer hard mode but won’t mind easy.
Sorry, I'm on vacation and while I will try to check-in at least daily, I cannot promise that I will always be able to do so. From September 1, I should be back to normal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus ||
I’m on lunch break while skiing, I advertised the thread to some of my forum buddies, could use up to 2 more PC’s
https://ddb.ac/characters/91092746/cyBNYu
Nuha
Race: Sea Elf
Class: Rogue
Role: Chef, call him a cook if you want slop for dinner.
Background: Fisher
Backstory: Nuha was a decent hunter, if an underwater one so perhaps fisher is more accurate, but he was getting a bit tired of his hometown and in one of his visits to a coastal town to trade his interest was caught by a strange establishment. He had heard of restaurants before, but had never given them much thought. Seeing this one supposedly specialized in “seafood” and having some spare coin he decided to go for a change of pace and see just how many ways people on land could think to prepare fish.
Two years later, completely forgetting about heading home, Nuha completed his apprenticeship as a chef and sharing his own people’s methods for eating certain fish raw, and decided he would travel and work to find new fish and recipes to prepare and enjoy, currently trying out new river fish dishes while working for a tour company.
As for easy or hard I will go with whatever ends up being the majority.
Osfire
Race: Cimic Hybrid
Class: Fighter
Role: Captains Bodyguard
Background: Sailor
Backstory, hailing from the ocean, he was found and became the first mate of his caretakers sailing ship, and got fighting training. When their ship sunk, he was the only survivor, and with his warrior training, and his love for/background with the water, he became the hired bodyguard for this riverboat's captain. His family sunk on the old ship, so he sees this as a job, and nothing more, so he won't be keen on being social with customers (which might change mid game if circumstances make it so)
As I am in a few of your other adventures, I shall join as I am always looking for groups to play with.
Name:Milo Thornborough von Karma (von Karma for short)
Race: Lightfoot Halfling
Class:Monk
Role: Lookout
Backround: Soldier
Backstory:
Von Karma was born into a costal village near the west with his parents, yet they had strict laws for military service. At the age of 20 he was drafted into the military to protect the small town, frequently having nothing noteworthy. One day, a strange entity walked towards the town hall, large and bulky. The people soon realised it meant trouble, and he was called in for battle. He was meditating to get rid of the harsh memories of previous, yet easier battles. The fight against the rock being was arduous, because it had common sense. After killing one of their members, it picked up his greatsword and swung right at Von Karma, leaving a scar across his face and the need for his eye to be removed. Soon after, the beast was slain. After the injury, Milo began to hone what he had left of his sight, his hearing and his other senses, as well as his speed to avoid this from happening. He has recovered both mentally and physically, and applies to help out the riverboat tour company.
Appearance: He is an incredibly short halfling, even for their standards, wearing a full leather outfit including an eyepatch and backpack, and he carries a deck of cards, a spear, a dagger, and an explorers pack as well as 10 darts.
Easy mode please, he’s already lost one eye, doesn’t need to lose another.
Also what do we use for stats?
I've sent out 5 invites. If all 5 join then we will be closed.
WELCOME TO CIRCUIT CRUISE LINES
A Legitimate River Cruise Tour Company!
Book your trip today with Captain Squirm Circuit and get ready for a week-long cruise up the exotic Kor'koh'a River. Relax aboard Captain Circuit's ship, the well-equipped River Jewel, as you delve into the jungles, visit interesting indigenous jungle-folk, and feast your eyes on strange and wondrous sights! Culminating in a sunrise hike to the famous Sky Crystal waterfall!
~ ~ ~
So states the rather garishly painted sign adorning the entrance to the River Jewel's private slip on the docks of the city of Gloam. The city is known as the furthest upstream on the Kor'koh'a River, civilization not daring to push deeper into the untamed Kor'koh'a jungle... yet. Situated as it is on the edge of the "cultured empire", the city is an odd mix of laborers spending their days harvesting the bounties of the jungle and sending the goods downstream, and well-to-do tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of the untamed.
You lot have started your day scrubbing the decks of the River Jewel as she rests in her slip, and otherwise preparing the craft for departure. Captain Circuit, a diminutive yet highly intelligent old gnome, has informed you that he has signed on a number of tourists and that the River Jewel shall be expedition-ready this morning, with all hands on deck. The wooden ship is a well-weathered and adventure-proven vessel, sporting a boxy shape about 45 feet long and 25 feet wide, with a generous hull. The deck is flat, railed all around and dominated by a large covered dining area, with stairs at bow and stern that lead belowdecks. The two sets of stairs are connected belowdecks by a straight hall running the length of the ship, with four 10x10 rooms on each side of the hall. The ship's method of locomotion is a secret, and when asked, Captain Circuit is fond of replying, "It's part of the mystique that makes the tour more fun!"
Captain Circuit has further made it clear to you deck hands that your primary objective will be to keep the tourists safe and happy. This will lead to bigger tips. Those that cannot adequately accommodate the guests during the expedition may find that they do not have a job any more once the ship returns to Gloam.
~ ~ ~
Here comes the captain now, with a group of tourists in tow. He invites them onto the docks and points the way to the ship as you lot put the finishing touches on your chores. As a gnome, Captain Circuit is small but sprightly, and he dashes aboard the ship to welcome on the tourists. As part of your training, you know to stand at attention as the tourists board and introduce yourselves. Customer service is an important part of the tour.
First to board the River Jewel after the Captain are two humans, man and woman, clearly a romantic couple. They are arm-in-arm, their mood is cheerful bordering on giddy, and they can hardly pay attention to anything around them as they are continually gazing at each other and smiling foolishly. "Hello there," says the man, "I'm Chester, and this is my bride, Kress. We've just been married and this trip shall be our honeymoon!"
How shall you introduce yourselves?