I'm looking at setting up, maybe using Discord and or VTT, for a "hybrid" PbP + live virtual sessions, in a "multi-dimensional West Marches" style. The settings could be Ebberon, Forgotten Realms, Grey Hawk, Star Jammers, 3rd party, etc. PCs would start at Tier 3, Tier 4, or "Epic Tier 5." This would be using the 2024 rules. If a subclass, feat, or such hasn't been altered in 2024, then the 2014 version stands. Some changes, such as say Divine Smite for Paladins would be between players and DMs.

Custom Lineage would essentially be the 2024 human, with the extra origin feat, and the ability to choose dark vision or an extra skill, so that if you get DV elsewhere (race/species, Warlock Devil's Sight, Blind Fighting), you have the option. Custom Lineage can flavor various mixed heritages, those that were from 2014 (eg, half races), but will have the features of Custom Lineage, not the heritage they may have in their background.

The biggest ideas would be a change to how spell scrolls are done, and including a combo of 3rd party and homebrew/respec of magic ammo.

For spell scrolls, I'm looking at this alternative for creating. I, personally, don't care for "misfires," and figure that the scroll failing to activate, becoming lost, losing the GP, and essentially wasting a turn are punishment enough; other GMs and players may choose otherwise.

For magic ammo, besides the +1-+3, and a couple of others in the core books, there's not really a lot of options. So, I propose using the 5ESRD site, which includes SRD for various 3rd party publications...including the full list, for those that have those publications. I also like this option on GM Binder for some additional magical ammo. These guides can be used to respec, so if a PC is using a weapon that the ammo isn't listed for, they can have a version for their weapon. If there's a magic bullet, and the PC uses crossbows, then we can implement bolt versions.

Overall, using 5ESRD, while there are a decent amount of magical ammo, the availability is rather skewed. For example, magical arrows, there are only 3 uncommon and very rare, but about 17 rare. GM Binder has batches by price, ranging from 50GP - 4000gp for Antimagic arrows. To try to keep things balanced, I would propose x-number of each "price level" of arrow, loosely following the spell table for wizards, with +1-+3 serving as "cantrips," plain ammo that overcomes magical resistances. This way, we don't have players having 30 Anti-magic arrows.

The main exceptions are the granting of extra actions/turns, like Action Surge, or if playing a Samurai, with Strength After Death. All other extras—eg, haste, meta magic, using a Hand crossbow+ Crossbow Expert—is at GM’s discretion, to use extra magical ammo, or limits to one magic ammo/spell, with extras being +x. (This, I'd like feedback on).

Lastly, War and Improved War Magic. WM – you may use 1 extra magic ammo, with any additional attacks (eg, CBE) is +x. Example, L7 fighter with War Magic and 1 EA, would be able to use 2 magic ammo. If using a hand CB, with CBE, the BA would only be +x.

IWM - WM – you may use 2 extra magic ammo, with any additional attacks (eg, CBE) is +x. Like WM. L 20 fighter: 1-3 would be magic ammo, 4 and any BA would only be +x.

Unless stated otherwise, the damage modifier is your PC’s magical stat (Wis, Int, Cha), with the DC is 8+Caster’s spellcasting ability modifier+Proficiency Bonus. This gives martial and those not full casters options to bridge the gaps. Since this would be +Tier 3, magical items like the Uncommon Headband of Intellect, or respective magical tomes to increase the ASI, should be implemented. At this point, PCs should be more than "above average" individuals. They should be close to heroes of various lore. There are some very powerful magical items, such as in Xanthar's, as well as some of these 3rd party publications. So, I think that as long as the above limits are adhered to, I think whether it's arrows of fireballs or antimagic fields, or Ring of three wishes or Well of many worlds, I feel that any class should be epic and exciting.

Since combat can slow things down for PbP (unless doing a live session, and even then), since this will be +3 Tier, I'm thinking of "multi-dimensional fights," or mental/spiritual fights. This would require some OOC chats. In short, each PC (or small team of PCs) would fight a fragment of the boss (with minions?), who would have lower HP (other factors determined by GMs). Once they defeat their fragment of the boss, they would be returned to the material plain. The PC/players who can't defeat the aspect would be in limbo, until they can come back, to free themselves, at which point, they would then be teleported back to the rest of the party. Alternatively, beforehand, which should be discussed at session 0, the freed party members can try to assist the stranded PC. Much of the PbP should be roleplaying/storytelling, with social/exploration options. Combat, if going just PbP, can be resolved like this; other aspects could, as well. Something for a session 0 discussion.

Since there would be an open-world concept, having players come and go would be handled via quest/adventures (guild mission?). Would like feedback, and who would be interested, both DMs and players.