CURRENTLY FULL Hello and welcome adventurers, I am a DM with 8 years of experience, most of which is 5th Edition. I'm looking to grab an additional two players for a group that I've played with for years, expand their capabilities and add some more personality to the group. Because it's a game I spend a lot of time, effort, and money on, as well as share it with some of my best friends, we are all looking for players who add to the game, not detract from it. We are in this game for the long run, as it's planned to go on for years. Ahead of time, I wish to apologize for the length of this advertisement. There is much to go over, and we have gone through the revolving door of players before, so my players and I are wary. If you are a player that we are looking for, and that is really looking for this sort of game and group, I know it is worth it. Game Primer: For some time now, adventurers have been noting that strange obelisks have appeared all across the realms. These obelisks seem to have a magical function, though their purpose is yet unknown. The world, no...the multiverse itself recently felt a shift in power. It was as if something changed on a cosmic scale, unknown to even the greatest of minds and powers. The world is quickly falling into chaos it seems. Giants and dragons are openly fighting each other and other races. Many beastmen, humans, and demihumans are at constant battle with one another. The religious are becoming fanatical, some even proclaiming the end of times is upon us. Spellcasters can feel an immense static in the air, their spells sometimes growing in power or going haywire. You. You are all individuals with a dark or secretive past. Something you would not share easily or maybe something even you yourself do not even know. (Think BG3 backgrounds) Somehow, destiny has brought you all together in a seemingly happenstance way but you all feel compelled to work together in order to figure out what's going on...and fast. The party has started their adventure in Baldur's Gate, referencing BG3 to some degree but it is not a major part of Baldur's Gate, much less the campaign. They had a debt to pay to Nine Finger's Keene, and only recently paid it off. While looking for new work, the Iron Flask that Nine Finger's Keene was retrieving had been taken and opened by a cult tracking the Flask's location. Out popped a Balor, THE Balor, the original, who set about sacking the city with the cult and its legions of demons. Seemingly, the general wishes to use the soon to be dragged down Baldur's Gate to sideline Zariel in Avernus, to win the Blood War. The party is currently working on stopping this. This is just one of many bad case scenarios that are happening all at once. I made this campaign with every 5th edition module in mind, each of their worst case scenarios. I always thought it was amazing that this set of worlds with such dangerous possible events and apocalypses were right on the bleeding edge of the abyss, ready to turn the realms into apocalyptic realms of mayhem and chaos. The goal of the campaign is ultimately to learn about what's going on and stop it if possible. It will include aspects of Eve of Ruin, as this module was announced some time after I came up with the concept and it fits a lot of what I'm going for. If you're looking to see the worlds tours of the main realms in 5e, see my homebrew takes on these worlds and their characters, experience the many trials and tribulations associated with dealing in big events and with powers such as these, then this is the campaign for you. We are, of course, not going to go cover to cover in each module, just experiencing the meat of each as needed/possible/desired. Knowledge of the realms is definitely not necessary, in fact it might even be preferred if you know little as it might encourage you to try learning more about the world in character, instead of making assumptions out of character about things you think you recognize. What To Expect: -Challenging combat, and memorable boss fights. My players know this to be one of my specialties, it's something they genuinely look forward to whenever the chance comes across the table. The harder the fight, the greater the reward, and I sometimes now ask what they want as a reward. It is not easy, and the risk of death is very real. Fear not...death may not be the end of your character(s), especially in this campaign spanning the realms with high magic involved. -Rich and engaging roleplay. You get what you put in, if you engage with the other people at the table and the world you're playing in, it will engage back with you, for better or worse depending on what you do. It's definitely a strong requirement to be an active roleplayer, I'm advertising to gain additional personality in the group. -Rewarding creativity and exploration. If you come up with a creative solution to an encounter or some conflict, and it seems like a feasible thing your character would come up/be able to accomplish, I'll do my best to let you do that! And if you poke around in the world looking for things important to your character, you may just find it! Or, it might find you... -Fair judgment and an ally to players. While I will not hold back in combat encounters, and show how the world has been shaped by your actions (for better or worse), I will not be your enemy. If it makes sense for an enemy to know what you can do, they will act accordingly. If they wouldn't or couldn't know how to best deal with you, they won't know. I won't metagame, as I expect my players to do the same. -Everything and everyone has a place. Both in game and out of it, nobody is excluded. I don't care about your race, sexuality, gender, or creed, all are equal and welcome at my table. In the game, there are no faceless peons and pointless items; everything and everyone has a purpose. -I am fair, but ruthless. I can be extremely generous. I give lots of opportunities to advance your character in "power". It is on you to use that to your advantage or not. I've often given players more items than they know what to do with, more feats and class options than normally accessible, and influence throughout the world that can be felt everywhere you go. What I Expect: -I am not a fan of rules lawyers. I know the rules very well, I've been running the 5th edition system for a handful of years now and if I don't remember a rule I'll either ask if anyone remembers or look it up, if it's very important. If it's not, I will likely make a judgment call and expect everyone to respect that unless it is a very big deal (such as letting someone do something that would normally require a Feat or class ability). -Players who use out of character knowledge, metagaming, and generally ruin possible plotlines I might use. It's fine if you can figure out the plotline I'm setting up for, but please try to keep it to yourself. I do not wish to have other players' chances of figuring things out or their excitement in learning new things be ruined. Please exercise courtesy if you know much about the realms, try to use this in character if you must. -Engaged players. If you're more of a "fly on the wall", audience style player, this probably isn't the game for you. If you just like rolling dice and watching numbers be crunched, this probably isn't the game for you. If you just like to roleplay, this probably isn't the game for you. I like to incorporate many facets into my games, and I like my players engaged with the game. If people are not engaged, I will not be engaged. I will try my best to engage everyone in every way I can, especially as this game is tailored to my players, but at a certain point if I cannot help it...I will no longer try. -Communicative players. Outside of being active participants at the table, knowing if there are scheduling conflicts, thoughts/suggestions for the game, or issues you may have, is very important to me. You can bring it up privately over text, call, or at the end of the session with everyone present, if you so choose. I'd rather it not interrupt game time, unless it's extremely important. -Maturity/thick skin. There can be some sensitive topics in a grimdark campaign, I won't go down the list of them but these themes can come up in play. If you are easily offended, this probably isn't the game for you. Disclaimer: I'm careful about the topics I include in these types of games, and I do like to have some boundaries of course, I just don't want someone getting scared off from playing at the vague or direct mention of a subject. While the setting does take place in a generally high fantasy/high magic setting with lots of fantastical things happening, it's taken a grim turn. And my style of play is playing more human or gritty characters, adding elements that add edge to a lot of people, places and things. -Cooperative, team players. I understand wanting to stick to your character, and I want you to stay in character. But there can be situations where there may be party tension or conflict. I've had situations where PvP broke out, feelings were hurt, and some people did not want to play with others. I'd prefer we make characters who want to work together, or that won't turn on one another the moment a conflict arises. Pet Peeves: -Approaching without having read the entire advertisement. Please read the details of the ad here. -Pay attention so I do not have to repeat myself. -Do not approach with an entire pre-written backstory/character. Concepts are fine. General Game Info: Day/Time: Every Thursday @ 7pm till 10pm CST Slots: 2 players needed for a total of 7 players (I'm experienced with running larger groups, 6 is my typical) Level: You will be starting at level 10, and this is a campaign that is intending to run beyond 20 but leveling will be VERY slow. You will be 10 and each level after for quite some time. Voice: Discord Party Composition: -Eliza Forest, Fire Genasi, College of Lore Bard. Typical bard skill monkey, diverse range of interests and skills. Focused primarily on support (non healing spells) and raw fire spells. -PCE-2012, Warforged, Horizon Walker Ranger. Planar detection, travel, and elimination abilities. Primarily ranged damage, but has melee capabilities and typical ranger/anti-mage spells. -Alakvyr, Drow Elf, Arcanist Wizard. Wide range of diverse spells and features that let him learn unconventional/non-wizard spells, poison expert. -Faye, Drow Elf, Life Domain Cleric. Raw healing and support spells, dexterous melee combatant, sole party healer. -Gargamarr, Silver Dragonborn, Path of the Dragonheart Barbarian. Able to form a bond to better protect allies as the sole frontliner of the group. Has some various AOE features to make him difficult to ignore, and best against small or large groups of enemies. Applying: -When applying, I'd like to know your experience with TTRPGs and D&D, mostly to get an idea for your experience level. I'd also like some acknowledgement if you read the ad in its entirety and know what really draws you to this game, even if it's everything I'd like an example. -The interview will mostly just be me asking you questions to gauge what you, or rather your character, would do in various situations. A series of "What would you do?" questions, if you will. -Adding me on Discord directly is the easiest and quickest way to secure an interview, @waywardronin I look forward to hearing from any and all interested adventurers!
