A Sparkling Zombie
Meep
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Alexandrian Remix
You have found yourself in Waterdeep and are in need of work, so to the Yawning Portal you've come. You have established a contact there who may be able to point you to someone in need if you ask, or perhaps the contact has already notified you about a job very recently, withholding the details but telling you to meet them in the tavern that evening.
Famed explorer Volothamp Geddarm will ask you to take on a simple quest. Little do you know that Waterdeep's next Grand Game is brewing. You will compete against various factions within the city, but only time will tell if you will crack Neverember's Enigma and reap the reward.
That Social Contract
Obey the laws of this fair realm, known as RP Nation, lest ye incur the wrath of the gods.
Accepting a total of four, maybe five players.
Newbie friendly!
Be nice to everyone.
Understand the difference between IC and OOC. Try to keep metagaming to a minimum and also try not to take IC things personally. Also understand the difference between doing what your character would do and being a griefer. Let's steer clear of the latter, eh?
Fair disclaimer: I'm pretty new to DMing, hey, but bear with me and I'm 97.9995% certain we'll get through this intact.
Be able to spell and wield grammar well enough that people can understand you. Be comfortable writing at least a solid paragraph or two.
The expected posting rate is discussed in the next section.
Characters are expected to generally cooperate with each other. That doesn't mean there can't be conflicts or that they have to forfeit acting in self-interest, based on the group's comfort, just that they need to be willing to work with the party.
I'll try to keep railroading to a minimum. The intent is to give the characters opportunity for personal things within or around Waterdeep.
Any post formats are welcome as long as they are mobile-friendly.
Write in third-person, please!
Gameplay Guidelines
Some of this may change as we play! We'll discover what works for us and what doesn't and adapt accordingly.
How Posting Will Work
The plan is that roleplaying will be conducted in two-week rounds. This means that I, as the DM, will make a post, and all players will have at most two weeks to respond. Within reason, which player posts when doesn't matter so much. Character A may post first one round, and Character B may post first the next.
If all players respond earlier than the allotted two weeks, the next DM post may happen sooner.
If a player is silent within that time, they will be skipped and the next DM post will happen. The intent is to keep things moving, and being skipped should pose minimal consequence; the player can simply pick up from the most recent DM post. However, being skipped two or three times in a row will be grounds for being kicked from the game, though that player may be welcomed back if they are certain they can spare the time.
If a player knows they lack the time or creative energy to post before those two weeks, that's okay! They can summarize to the group what their character does and we can account for it accordingly. It's also okay to ask to be skipped if you feel there isn't much your character can do/provide within a given round.
Leveling
We'll be using milestones.
Players may roll for their increased HP, and if the result is lower than the static increase, they may take the static one instead.
Combat
Initiative is just going to be the order in which people post within a two-week round.
If a player is silent through the allotted time, their character will take the Dodge action.
To speed up combat, drinking any potion can be a bonus action.
Instead of two dice rolls, critical damage will instead be one dice roll plus the max damage of the weapon/spell. This might not apply to enemies, at least not until the characters are sturdier.
To hopefully lessen the clunkiness, I will make the enemy's AC and HP public. Feel free to write in your character's hit/kill/miss once you've rolled for your attack. When an enemy is required to make a saving throw, you may roll for them, or I can roll it for you so that you can finish your post.
Other
I as the DM will make all death saving throws in secret. Gotta make things thrilling! Understandably, this requires trust, and when it's over, I'm happy to reveal the dice rolls to the affected player.
Otherwise, DM combat rolls will be public. Come whatever may.
Track yer shit in your inventory. Arrows and spell components should be accounted for. Rations and waterskins won't be as scrutinized since you're in a city. You can spend money to keep yourself nourished.
Character Creation
If you have questions or want input, lemme know.
To newbies: I recommend sticking to the core races and classes since you can more easily find that information.
To everyone else: No homebrew or Unearthed Arcana. No Ravnica stuff. Otherwise, as long as it's an official PC race/subclass and you can link me to the information, it's cool.
Ability Scores
We'll be using the point-buy system. You can spend up to 27 points. Doing so can get you arrays like the following:
15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8
15, 15, 15, 8, 8, 8
13, 13, 13, 12, 12, 12
| Score | Cost | Score | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | 12 | 4 | |
| 9 | 1 | 13 | 5 | |
| 10 | 2 | 14 | 7 | |
| 11 | 3 | 15 | 9 |
| Score | Modifier | Score | Modifier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-9 | -1 | 16-17 | +3 | |
| 10-11 | +0 | 18-19 | +4 | |
| 12-13 | +1 | 20 | +5 | |
| 14-15 | +2 |
Race
Racial bonuses can be modified using the following rules. Just be sure to mention to me what you're changing!
Any ability score increase granted by the race can be applied to a different ability. If the race has more than one score increase, they must still be applied to separate abilities. For example, a half-orc's default score increases are +2 Strength and +1 Constitution. You can switch the +2 to Dexterity and the +1 to Wisdom, but you cannot make a +3 Dexterity.
Most races have at least one language they speak in addition to Common. You may swap out those languages for others.
You may also swap out proficiencies like so based on type:
Skill for a different skill
Armor for a simple/martial weapon or a tool
Simple weapon for a different simple weapon or a tool
Martial weapon for a simple/martial weapon or a tool
Tool for a tool or a simple weapon
Alignment
No chaotic evil. Anything else is fine, but keep in mind that your character is expected to coexist with the rest of the party.
Other
Establish at least 2 personality traits, 1 flaw, 1 bond, and 1 ideal.
In the sheet, you may omit information from the backstory 'cause secrets, but please PM me the unredacted version.
The adventure hook is that your character is looking for work, so they have come to the Yawning Portal. There are a few ways to skin this cat, one being that there may be a familiar face at the tavern who you think can inform you of any jobs. You might be actively seeking this contact, or a couple hours ago, the contact might have notified you of a job through some means, not disclosing details but telling you to meet them at the Yawning Portal that evening. Or, maybe the contact is a friend of an acquaintance, or maybe your character is a tagalong of another, and that character is the one with a contact in mind. Or you could be at the tavern by chance, though that option might have the chance of not going well, depending on what your character will do. We'll work out these details as the would-be party forms, just keep it in mind as you're deciding on a concept.
Character Sheet
Please post your character sheet in this thread for review, or PM it to me.
You may use any sheet format that you want as long as it contains the necessary information. Try to use one that's mobile friendly. One option is presented below.
Creating the sheet in D&D Beyond is an option, too. Please join this campaign if you do. (I don't have any books to share there, sorry.)
Code:
[center][img width="300px"][/img]
[size=6]Character Name[/size]
[size=4]Race | Class LV1 | Alignment[/size][/center]
[tabs]
[tab=Stats]
[B]HP:[/B] current/max | [B]Hit Dice:[/B] xdx | [B]AC:[/B] x
[B]Size:[/B] x | [B]Speed[/B]: x | [B]Vision:[/B] x
[B]Proficiency bonus:[/B] +2 | [B]Passive Perception:[/B] x
[B]Ability Scores[/B]
[table=none]
[tr]
[th]Strength[/th] [th]Dexterity[/th] [th]Constitution[/th] [th]Intelligence[/th] [th]Wisdom[/th] [th]Charisma[/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]x (+/-x)[/td] [td]x (+/-x)[/td] [td]x (+/-x)[/td] [td]x (+/-x)[/td] [td]x (+/-x)[/td] [td]x (+/-x)[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
[B]Saving Throws[/B]
[table=none]
[tr]
[td][B]Strength:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Dexterity:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Constitution:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Intelligence:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Wisdom:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Charisma:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
[B]Skills[/B]
[table=none]
[tr]
[td][B]Acrobatics:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Animal Handling:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Arcana:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][B]Athletics:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Deception:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]History:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][B]Insight:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Intimidation:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Investigation:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][B]Medicine:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Nature:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Perception:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][B]Performance:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Persuasion:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Religion:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td][B]Sleight of Hand:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Stealth:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[td][B]Survival:[/B] +/-x[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
[B]Weapon Proficiencies:[/B] x
[B]Armor Proficiencies:[/B] x
[B]Tool Proficiencies:[/B] x
[B]Languages:[/B] x
[/tab]
[tab=Special Abilities]
[B]Racial Features[/B]
x
[B]Class Features[/B]
x
[B]Background Features[/B]
x
[B]Feats[/B]
x
[/tab]
[tab=Weapons & Armor]
[row]
[column=span2][B]Weapon[/B]
Name here[/column]
[column=span2][B]Attack Bonus[/B]
+x[/column]
[column=span2][B]Damage/Type[/B]
xdx type[/column]
[column=span2][B]Properties[/B]
x[/column]
[/row]
[row]
[column=span2][B]Weapon[/B]
Name here[/column]
[column=span2][B]Attack Bonus[/B]
+x[/column]
[column=span2][B]Damage/Type[/B]
xdx type[/column]
[column=span2][B]Properties[/B]
x[/column]
[/row]
[row]
[column=span2][B]Armor[/B]
Name here[/column]
[column=span1][B]AC[/B]
x[/column]
[column=span2][B]Penalties[/B]
x[/column]
[/row]
[/tab]
[tab=Inventory]
[B]Money[/B]
CP: 0 | SP: 0 | EP: 0 | GP: 0| PP: 0
[B]Equipment[/B]
[row]
[column=span2][B]Name[/B][/column]
[column=span2][B]Quantity[/B][/column]
[column=span4][B]Description[/B][/column]
[/row]
[row]
[column=span2]x[/column]
[column=span2]x[/column]
[column=span4]description or link to description[/column]
[/row]
[/tab]
[tab=Spells]
[B]Spellcasting Ability:[/B] x
[B]Spell Save DC:[/B] x
[B]Spell Attack Modifier:[/B] +x
[B]Cantrips[/B]
[i]Name[/i]
School of magic | Casting Time: x | Range: x | Duration: x | Components: x
Description
[B]Level 1[/B]
Spell Slots: x/x
[i]Name[/i]
School of magic | Casting Time: x | Range: x | Duration: x | Components: x
Description
[/tab]
[tab=Background]
[B]Age:[/B] x
[B]Height:[/B] x
[B]Weight:[/B] x
[B]Appearance[/B]
x
[B]Personality Traits[/B]
x
[B]Ideals[/B]
x
[B]Bonds[/B]
x
[B]Flaws[/B]
x
[B]Background[/B]
x
[B]Backstory[/B]
x
[B]Additional Info[/B]
x
[/tab]
[/tabs]
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