I've decided to try something a little different! Most DM's state "I'm intending to play X campaign, and want players for it!" so I thought to myself, I want to try recruiting for an unknown campaign! Though this WILL be a module, and not a homebrew campaign. I am curious to see what characters are made when they don't know 'the enemy' they'll be facing! Obviously once the campaign starts, the party will know but I'd like to see what characters people come up with when entering an unknown quantity.
Ok then, do you have any homebrew rules or is this 100% by the book then bozo!?
I do have one homebrew rule i saw that I liked the idea of. The handful of others will be voted on by the players. That way no one feels like they're forced into anything that the whole party doesn't want.
The one rule I will be enforcing regardless is: No long rest 'Everywhere' which is a horrible name, but I forgot what it was called officially. the TLDR is; A lot of campaigns boil down to the players getting into a fight. Long resting at the first opportunity. Then rinsing and repeating that cycle - i nthe same way someone on a video game may grind a few levels, run to the save point to heal, then grind, etc.
What this rule does is make it so you can only long rest in safe locations: Inside a town/city, caves/ruins that you've cleared out. Meanwhile camping out in the open along the road, will only allow for the benefits of a short rest.
The reasoning: To increase player strategizing. Weighting risks vs rewards. Instead of just blowing every spell slot and non-infinitely-useable-skill slot they have every single battle wontonly because "I can just long rest as soon as the fights over!"
As said before, the other homebrew rules will be presented and voted on by the players once they have been chosen, of which I will have a total of 3 players (1 i have, and two I recruit here.)
Ok, Ok, I getcha... And you still have my interest. So, tell me ... how do i roll my character?
I allow any stat generation method. And when rolling for your stats, as opposed to point buy, or the other one you may select the "Reroll 1's ONCE" dropdown menu on the dice roller for "Ability Scores" of which it has the options: Never, Once, Always. Again, select "ONCE" and I will confirm your stats weren't rolled as 'always' And you may only roll for your stats once no matter how good or bad they are. So choose your method carefully!
Fair enough you Dingbat DM, what do you allow in your games... character wise then?
For the most part, I don't limit anything on character creation, except a few things that are 'newer' to DND. And yes, I do allow multiclassing.
1. No 'tattoo' stat modifiers.
2. No custom lineage or whatever that is. Default race stats only.
Well you haven't lost my interest yet... so continue. How do you want me to show my character her then?
(All characters will be starting at level 3)
Stats:
Name:
Race:
Class(es):
Backstory: (please try to limit it to 3 paragraphs! I enjoy a good read, but I also don't want you spending a ton of time on a backstory on the odds you aren't chosen!)
Character Goals:
Personality, Flaws, Bonds: Please list no LESS than 2, and no MORE than 4 on each. Please try to tie them into your backstory in some way.
Extra Pick starting gear.
All players are allowed to pick a SINGLE feat, that isn't directly combat related. Sentinel, Great Weapon Master, Polearm Master are direct combat. If you're unsure, feel free to ask, and I will respond as soon as I can.
Ok there buster, I've made my character, but is there anything else I should know or do?
I intend for this to be a slower paced game, as I'm in the middle of moving IRL currently, and may, at times, be relegated to a slow as molasses laptop and not always able to access my PC.
I do not have DM level campaign sharing (I cannot afford it anymore) so I cannot share what resources I have with my players - Sorry...
I always try to be fair in my rulings, and if I'm wrong, don't be afraid to point it out, we're all human. I will have the final say but if you can show me where I'm wrong, or make a fair argument I have been swayed many times.
I tend play grittier, darker games that may have themes that make some players uncomfortable. In my eyes, DND isn't happy rainbow friendship time. People are enslaved, killed, kidnapped, and worse - and I don't intend to shy away from that fact. I also like to try to make my encounters challenging - Including making creatures with enough INT fight with strategy, as opposed to 'immobile punching bag' - If you think these may bother you, don't apply.
Lastly, Another special something I thought up was to have everyone who is accepted into the campaign make a second character, using the same creation method above. However, these will NOT be your characters. You will determine their class, stats, goals, etc, and they will always be onelevel lower than the party. And you may level them up as the game progresses, however once they are placed in the campaign, they should be 'unassigned' as I have plans for them in the game to come, and I hope this will end up something you all enjoy.
But again, these are not your 'backup characters' in case of death.
Recruiting will end on monday, so that the next week may be spent in session 0.
Backstory, Character Goals, Personality, Flaws, Bonds: I decided to put all of this under spoilers because it reveals a lot that Leras would not tell people. Personality traits are ouutside because those are things anyone can see.
Personality traits:
I love a good insult, even one directed at me. I’ll settle for nothing less than perfection
Leras is a truly talented lutist, or so he wants everyone to think. While he is talented, he uses his connection to the fey to dazzle his audiences. When performing for a royal court, he attempted to do this but was found out by the king, who assumed he was faking being a musician to steal from the palace. While Leras' friends were imprisoned, he tutrned tail and fled into the night. He has no idea to this day if they are still alive.
Soon after this, Leras decided it was time to set aside his instrument, because it hurt too much to play, and he began to hone his magic. He spent a year in isolation strengthening his connection to the fey and learning his spells. After he reached the limit that someone can practicing something on their own, he decided to join an adventuring party to grow stronger and to find powerful magics from the past.
Goals: To become powerful enough to defend himself, good enough to redeem himself, and strong enough to find and face his old friends.
Ideals: Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are. (Lawful) Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was, and someday this will make up for the mistakes I've made. (Good)
Bonds: I would do anything to honor the memories of my olf troupe. My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love.
Flaws: A scandal separated me from my troupe, and they may even be dead. I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble.
Ok, when I edited my post to add everything other than stats, it changed the stats. They were originally 16, 16, 14, 13, 11, 10. I'm happy to use either set, although my sheet currently represents the original set.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I will protect those I hate. Even ... even if the one I hate most ... is ... myself.
It just reset for me. After I had posted it had changed the dice rolls to a completely different ste and said they were manipulated. I'm glad its back to normal now.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I will protect those I hate. Even ... even if the one I hate most ... is ... myself.
Backstory: Chiro was born and raised the forest surrounding the Kingdom of Murkford. Chiro's father was a ranger and started his education early, and when it became apparent that Chiro was gifted with draconic heritage, he also began schooling in the sorcerer's Arts. Chiro's village tried to keep their distance from the kingdom as the King of Murkford, King Cragnoor, was a vicious tyrant. But rumor spread that there was gold to be found in the forest near the village, and that Chiro's village was hoarding gold and hiding from the King. The king sent in a brute squad of Orcs and Goblinoids to clear the forest and destroy the village. Chiro's parents were killed in the fighting, and he barely escaped with his life.
Character Goals: Chiro's primary goal is to defend the oppressed.
Personality, Flaws, Bonds:
Personality Traits
Thinking is for other people. I prefer action.
Ideals
Freedom. Tyrants must not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic)
Bonds
I protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Flaws
I’m convinced of the significance of my destiny, and blind to my shortcomings and the risk of failure.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Would you view the Alert feat as directly combat related? I'm in doubt because it does not have the "Combat" tag, but still all the advantages it bestows are effectively useful in combat... (+5 initiative affects combat, can't be surprised also affects it, negating advantage to an unseen attacker also affects it...)
What would you declare it? Directly combat related or not?
Class Aberrant bloodline Sorcerer (Suckers across chest)
Backstory At around 13 years old I went on a hunt as a traditional coming of age requirement. As I was about to use my javelin to take a cave badger, my powers manifested. Afterwards I had button scars across my chest, sometimes I feel them pucker. My trophy was never mentioned as it was a burned crushed wreck. Now I search for answers.
Background Anthropologist spent time living among aarakocra.
Personality Traits I prefer the company of those who aren’t like me, including people of other races. By living among violent people, I have become desensitized to violence.
Ideals Knowledge. By understanding other races and cultures, we learn to understand ourselves. (Any)
Bonds I have a trinket that I believe is the key to finding a long-lost society.
Backstory: As an Engineer, Malki took the tinkering of the gnomes to another level. He'd always been playing with something at home to help out, he even made a simple elevator using water power to help his elderly grandparents get up to their loft. Once he was old enough, his parents sent him off to Engineering school where, he thought, he'd be able to hone his talents. Unfortunately the professor under which he was assigned turned out to be a bit less mentally stable than most Engineers of the Age, and often directed Malki to work on tasks which seemed impossible, or at best slightly insane.
After being sent off on an errand in a strange series of ancient ruins, Malki suffered a bit of an industrial accident, but due to this discovered a secret room. What was in this room may have saved his life, as the crawled in and found an ancient set of armor, which, before he knew it, had bonded to him, giving him the strength to leave the ruins. He's now made it back to the nearest town, and is doing his best to come to terms with this new device, as well as come to mental terms with all that has happened (which may be the harder of the two tasks).
Character Goals: To master his new found 'invention' and some day make it back to his professor to 'thank' them
Personality, Flaws, Bonds:
Personality Traits
I have a hard time staying focused on … oh, and my brain tends to jump from one … did I mention focus? Life’s an experiment, and I can’t wait to see what happens.
Ideals
Discovery. Every experiment has the potential to reveal more secrets of the multiverse.
Bonds
I have the schematics for an invention that I hope to build one day, once I have the necessary resources.
Flaws
Nothing is ever simple, and if it seems simple, I’ll find a way to make it complicated. I get bored easily, and if nothing is happening I’ll make something happen.
Allright. I've decided. I will be inviting the players into a whisper soon. To those who didn't get accepted, know that It was honestly a tough decision. I saw two characters that I would have loved to see how they interacted but had to cut one of them off, to keep in line with my '3 player' maximum.
But sir! What campaign?!
I've decided to try something a little different! Most DM's state "I'm intending to play X campaign, and want players for it!" so I thought to myself, I want to try recruiting for an unknown campaign! Though this WILL be a module, and not a homebrew campaign. I am curious to see what characters are made when they don't know 'the enemy' they'll be facing! Obviously once the campaign starts, the party will know but I'd like to see what characters people come up with when entering an unknown quantity.
Ok then, do you have any homebrew rules or is this 100% by the book then bozo!?
I do have one homebrew rule i saw that I liked the idea of. The handful of others will be voted on by the players. That way no one feels like they're forced into anything that the whole party doesn't want.
The one rule I will be enforcing regardless is: No long rest 'Everywhere' which is a horrible name, but I forgot what it was called officially. the TLDR is; A lot of campaigns boil down to the players getting into a fight. Long resting at the first opportunity. Then rinsing and repeating that cycle - i nthe same way someone on a video game may grind a few levels, run to the save point to heal, then grind, etc.
What this rule does is make it so you can only long rest in safe locations: Inside a town/city, caves/ruins that you've cleared out. Meanwhile camping out in the open along the road, will only allow for the benefits of a short rest.
The reasoning: To increase player strategizing. Weighting risks vs rewards. Instead of just blowing every spell slot and non-infinitely-useable-skill slot they have every single battle wontonly because "I can just long rest as soon as the fights over!"
As said before, the other homebrew rules will be presented and voted on by the players once they have been chosen, of which I will have a total of 3 players (1 i have, and two I recruit here.)
Ok, Ok, I getcha... And you still have my interest. So, tell me ... how do i roll my character?
I allow any stat generation method. And when rolling for your stats, as opposed to point buy, or the other one you may select the "Reroll 1's ONCE" dropdown menu on the dice roller for "Ability Scores" of which it has the options: Never, Once, Always. Again, select "ONCE" and I will confirm your stats weren't rolled as 'always' And you may only roll for your stats once no matter how good or bad they are. So choose your method carefully!
Fair enough you Dingbat DM, what do you allow in your games... character wise then?
For the most part, I don't limit anything on character creation, except a few things that are 'newer' to DND. And yes, I do allow multiclassing.
1. No 'tattoo' stat modifiers.
2. No custom lineage or whatever that is. Default race stats only.
Well you haven't lost my interest yet... so continue. How do you want me to show my character her then?
(All characters will be starting at level 3)
Stats:
Name:
Race:
Class(es):
Backstory: (please try to limit it to 3 paragraphs! I enjoy a good read, but I also don't want you spending a ton of time on a backstory on the odds you aren't chosen!)
Character Goals:
Personality, Flaws, Bonds: Please list no LESS than 2, and no MORE than 4 on each. Please try to tie them into your backstory in some way.
Extra Pick starting gear.
All players are allowed to pick a SINGLE feat, that isn't directly combat related. Sentinel, Great Weapon Master, Polearm Master are direct combat. If you're unsure, feel free to ask, and I will respond as soon as I can.
Ok there buster, I've made my character, but is there anything else I should know or do?
I intend for this to be a slower paced game, as I'm in the middle of moving IRL currently, and may, at times, be relegated to a slow as molasses laptop and not always able to access my PC.
I do not have DM level campaign sharing (I cannot afford it anymore) so I cannot share what resources I have with my players - Sorry...
I always try to be fair in my rulings, and if I'm wrong, don't be afraid to point it out, we're all human. I will have the final say but if you can show me where I'm wrong, or make a fair argument I have been swayed many times.
I tend play grittier, darker games that may have themes that make some players uncomfortable. In my eyes, DND isn't happy rainbow friendship time. People are enslaved, killed, kidnapped, and worse - and I don't intend to shy away from that fact. I also like to try to make my encounters challenging - Including making creatures with enough INT fight with strategy, as opposed to 'immobile punching bag' - If you think these may bother you, don't apply.
Lastly, Another special something I thought up was to have everyone who is accepted into the campaign make a second character, using the same creation method above. However, these will NOT be your characters. You will determine their class, stats, goals, etc, and they will always be one level lower than the party. And you may level them up as the game progresses, however once they are placed in the campaign, they should be 'unassigned' as I have plans for them in the game to come, and I hope this will end up something you all enjoy.
But again, these are not your 'backup characters' in case of death.
Recruiting will end on monday, so that the next week may be spent in session 0.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Just confirming: This is on the forums right?
Mfs select me or I rage
Placeholder for stats, will edit soon.
Stats: Ability scores: 15 10 13 11 10 18
Name: Leras
Character sheet link: https://ddb.ac/characters/86397500/Vv6M4a
Race: Half Elf
Class(es): Warlock
Backstory, Character Goals, Personality, Flaws, Bonds: I decided to put all of this under spoilers because it reveals a lot that Leras would not tell people. Personality traits are ouutside because those are things anyone can see.
Personality traits:
I love a good insult, even one directed at me. I’ll settle for nothing less than perfection
Leras is a truly talented lutist, or so he wants everyone to think. While he is talented, he uses his connection to the fey to dazzle his audiences. When performing for a royal court, he attempted to do this but was found out by the king, who assumed he was faking being a musician to steal from the palace. While Leras' friends were imprisoned, he tutrned tail and fled into the night. He has no idea to this day if they are still alive.
Soon after this, Leras decided it was time to set aside his instrument, because it hurt too much to play, and he began to hone his magic. He spent a year in isolation strengthening his connection to the fey and learning his spells. After he reached the limit that someone can practicing something on their own, he decided to join an adventuring party to grow stronger and to find powerful magics from the past.
Goals: To become powerful enough to defend himself, good enough to redeem himself, and strong enough to find and face his old friends.
Ideals: Tradition. The stories, legends, and songs of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are. (Lawful)
Beauty. When I perform, I make the world better than it was, and someday this will make up for the mistakes I've made. (Good)
Bonds: I would do anything to honor the memories of my olf troupe.
My instrument is my most treasured possession, and it reminds me of someone I love.
Flaws: A scandal separated me from my troupe, and they may even be dead.
I have trouble keeping my true feelings hidden. My sharp tongue lands me in trouble.
I will protect those I hate. Even ... even if the one I hate most ... is ... myself.
Ok, when I edited my post to add everything other than stats, it changed the stats. They were originally 16, 16, 14, 13, 11, 10. I'm happy to use either set, although my sheet currently represents the original set.
I will protect those I hate. Even ... even if the one I hate most ... is ... myself.
Yes.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
That's what it shows for me, so not sure what you're seeing.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
It just reset for me. After I had posted it had changed the dice rolls to a completely different ste and said they were manipulated. I'm glad its back to normal now.
I will protect those I hate. Even ... even if the one I hate most ... is ... myself.
Bumping the thread since as it stands we only have one recruit!
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Stats: 10 15 13 10 14 15 (Points Buy)
Name: Chiro Mefitis: Chiro Mefitis's Character Sheet - D&D Beyond (dndbeyond.com)
Race: Wood Elf
Class(es): Ranger (2)/Sorcerer(1)
Backstory: Chiro was born and raised the forest surrounding the Kingdom of Murkford. Chiro's father was a ranger and started his education early, and when it became apparent that Chiro was gifted with draconic heritage, he also began schooling in the sorcerer's Arts. Chiro's village tried to keep their distance from the kingdom as the King of Murkford, King Cragnoor, was a vicious tyrant. But rumor spread that there was gold to be found in the forest near the village, and that Chiro's village was hoarding gold and hiding from the King. The king sent in a brute squad of Orcs and Goblinoids to clear the forest and destroy the village. Chiro's parents were killed in the fighting, and he barely escaped with his life.
Character Goals: Chiro's primary goal is to defend the oppressed.
Personality, Flaws, Bonds:
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Would you view the Alert feat as directly combat related? I'm in doubt because it does not have the "Combat" tag, but still all the advantages it bestows are effectively useful in combat... (+5 initiative affects combat, can't be surprised also affects it, negating advantage to an unseen attacker also affects it...)
What would you declare it? Directly combat related or not?
Stats 12 14 14 10 12 16 point buy
Name Aeronas (also link to character)
Race High Half-elf (cantrip minor illusion)
Class Aberrant bloodline Sorcerer (Suckers across chest)
Backstory At around 13 years old I went on a hunt as a traditional coming of age requirement. As I was about to use my javelin to take a cave badger, my powers manifested. Afterwards I had button scars across my chest, sometimes I feel them pucker. My trophy was never mentioned as it was a burned crushed wreck. Now I search for answers.
Background Anthropologist spent time living among aarakocra.
Personality Traits I prefer the company of those who aren’t like me, including people of other races. By living among violent people, I have become desensitized to violence.
Ideals Knowledge. By understanding other races and cultures, we learn to understand ourselves. (Any)
Bonds I have a trinket that I believe is the key to finding a long-lost society.
Flaws Boats make me seasick.
Feat Magic initiate Druid (gust, primal savagery, goodberry)
Extra Character Mechtild An aarakocra paladin
*Sha-gravis *Fjörn Bhrünt *Leif Aulderoot *Saltstrider *Eron Colborn
@ painted. I would not consider that one directly combat related, no.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Stats: Ability scores: 14 10 10 17 16 12
Name: Malki Noree (https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/39296202)
Race: Gnome
Class(es): Artificer
Backstory: As an Engineer, Malki took the tinkering of the gnomes to another level. He'd always been playing with something at home to help out, he even made a simple elevator using water power to help his elderly grandparents get up to their loft. Once he was old enough, his parents sent him off to Engineering school where, he thought, he'd be able to hone his talents. Unfortunately the professor under which he was assigned turned out to be a bit less mentally stable than most Engineers of the Age, and often directed Malki to work on tasks which seemed impossible, or at best slightly insane.
After being sent off on an errand in a strange series of ancient ruins, Malki suffered a bit of an industrial accident, but due to this discovered a secret room. What was in this room may have saved his life, as the crawled in and found an ancient set of armor, which, before he knew it, had bonded to him, giving him the strength to leave the ruins. He's now made it back to the nearest town, and is doing his best to come to terms with this new device, as well as come to mental terms with all that has happened (which may be the harder of the two tasks).
Character Goals: To master his new found 'invention' and some day make it back to his professor to 'thank' them
Personality, Flaws, Bonds:
Bonds
Flaws
I get bored easily, and if nothing is happening I’ll make something happen.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
I will be going through the list now and making my decision in the next few hours.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Allright. I've decided. I will be inviting the players into a whisper soon. To those who didn't get accepted, know that It was honestly a tough decision. I saw two characters that I would have loved to see how they interacted but had to cut one of them off, to keep in line with my '3 player' maximum.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Ability scores: 17 12 9 11 9 16
Placeholder while I make the character