Well, hello everyone xD I'm looking to hopefully DM a game in the near future and I have a short (xD) introduction for it. This post is to see if anyone's even interested and if yes, to get the character ideas from the potential players. I know, I know, the text is a long one, but what I believe it's well worth reading it (And is kinda a requirement for the game XD). Without further ado, here it is: About me: I'm 32 and live in Croatia But perhaps the most important thing about me is that I'm a fairly new DM. Which means, if you don't have patience and tolerance for some mistakes, etc., this game probably isn't for you :) I have few years of D&D experience and have played 3E, 3.5E, Pathfinder and recently 5E. I never liked 4E because it felt a bit too much like a computer game. I like (fantasy) reality better. I've DMed several RL sessions and learned much, but mostly became even more aware that I suck and have a LOT to learn xD. But hey, who doesn't, right? :P (The learning part, not sucking xD) Also, while I believe my english is pretty decent, but since I'm from Croatia, I have an accent. It's not as thick as i.e. Russian or sometimes not understandable like Scottish (No offence, I actually love the accent!), but it's a very noticable one. Shouldn't interfere with the game, though. As you can see by the size of the remaining text, I'm kinda ambitious or demanding (not sure what would be the right word) regarding this game, probably too much for a new DM. But, oh well xD I will try my best and hopefully keep you entertained as much as I'd want to. Home Rules: 1. The game is using 5th edition D&D rules. Will be played using Roll20 (oh rly!?) and using Voice. If you want to, you can use a Camera as well, but this is up to you. 2. Rules serve me more as guidelines, so even though I will go „by the book“ in most cases, I reserve the right (aren't I bossy :P) to change, modify or even make a new rule (Also make you roll a certain roll or whatever comes with a rule as well) if needed. My game will be based on (fantasy xD) reality so my ruling will be based on that. As always, I will keep the entertainment in mind, cause that's why we're playing this in the first place ;) 3. PC's have to describe what they are doing in all situations. By that, I mean attempting a skill, a move, attacking, casting a spell and so on. You get the picture. I'm not expecting Hollywood (voice) acting xD and I will accept 99% of the descriptions, no matter how short and/or simple they might be. On the other hand, clever and entertaining decisions and descriptions that fit well with your character personality will be rewarded one way or another. Plus, I find it fun when players give a description and I get to improvise on it. Pretty sure it's fun vice versa for a player, too 4. I roll most of the rolls „behind the curtain“, whether on Roll20 or using real dice. As I have certain degree of trust towards players, meaning I don't expect them to cheat, use exploit possible loopholes and whatnot, I expect players feeling the same way about me. While I'm not a sadistic DM who would try to kill you in any situation (that's not really fun), I won't try to save you if you do something obviously stupid xD. I mean, if you want to jump over a 30 feet hole, you're welcome to try, but if it's a long fall, pray for a miracle (and starting thinking of a new character xD) Have in mind that the world is a dangerous place, so think as your characters and you'll make the right decisions. Well, mostly ;) 5. No Player Killing, even though it wouldn't make sense giving the nature of this game (We will get to that.) 6. Rolling for stats: Yes, PC's must roll for the abilities (Blame the gambler in me :P) Each PC will roll 2 „sets“ of rolls, which are 4d6 – lowest for each stat. After the PC gets 2 sets, he/she will choose whichever one he/she wants. 7. 5E PHB races/classes. Have in mind Half-Orcs are looked upon mostly with disgust by most, while some people are kinda wary and untrustful towards Elves and Dwarves. Dragonborn are rare as it is, so you better make one hell of a BG for such a character (More on this later) 8. If you want to modify a PHB Background, feel free to ask me. I tend to let players do what they want as long it's fair. Also, feel free to name your Background whatever you want and even try to make new Traits, Ideals, Bonds and/or Flaws. Each will be allowed/denied on a case by case basis, though there's not much I will deny 9. Starting equipment is modified: Starting equipment for each character depends heavily on the character's background. I'm not talking, i.e., Noble vs Urchin GP difference. I'm talking about the backgrounds that a player will write for his character. (NOTE: Read about the world before thinking of a character you'd like to play) Also, as you'll see in the world/setting description later on, due to shortage of iron, among other things, good quality weapons, armor and other equipment are hard to find, even in larger cities. Even if you get your hands on some weapon, chances are, it's a lousy one with questionable durability and strength. 10. I will try to keep it as realistic as possible regarding the need for food, drinks, temperature, encumbrance and other elements/variables that would affect a character. You jump in the water? Let me see your inventory, you might roll to see what got wet and perhaps ruined beyond further use. I may not be able to remember it every time, but I will certainly try to. I probably won't be able to stop any potential (mini) cheating going on, but I have a certain trust in my players that they know that can only hurt the fun and so I believe they wont do such things 11. Not really a rule, but: I encourage you to write any possible thoughts, advices, complaints and so on and send me after the session. I want to learn and getting player feedback is very welcome! So if you have any, I expect you to not interrupt the game with them, but do as it's written above and then we can talk about it if needed 12. This one is actually common sense, kinda the golden rule of D&D: For the sake of the game and fun, do NOT metagame. What I mean by that, don't use player knowledge instead of character. i.e. Roleplay your character not seeing anything while the rest of the party does, even if it's obvious to you as a player that „the enemy is right there“. It makes it more fun too! As always, just use your imagination I know, I know, it's kinda given and pretty much basic, but I want to mention it anyway :P 13. There will be a Session 0. Character's will be made, backgrounds/personalities modified, we'll get to know each other and talk about the game, the characters, backgrounds, the world and so on and so on Session 0 will most likely happen soon after choosing 5 players, provided I get that many applicants XD The start of the actual game is not set, however. At the moment of writing this, it could be the day after Session 0 or like 2 weeks later xD. I really don't know atm. However, I can tell you the approximate time of sessions. During the weekdays, I don't see a game starting before 18h, GMT +1 time (Sarajevo, Skopje, Warsaw, Zagreb,, etc. You can check by setting your computer time zone to this one if you're having trouble converting to your local time. It says UTC+1). Earlier or later start is possible if we play on Saturday. The frequency of sessions will mostly vary on players and DMs free time. 14. There will be maps, portraits and other graphics, but there wont be a map for every occasion. We will use a grid and tokens, ofc, to make it easier to know where everyone is, but a lot of the times, you will have to ask about the surroundings and use the enviroment based on my description. I would like to have a map for EVERY situation, but it's simply undoable in reasonable amount of time and also kinda removes the main aspect of the game: Imagination ;) 15. Holy crap, 15 already xD I'm pretty sure I forgot some xD What kind of game can you expect, Requirements and Suggestions for Players and so on: I like a good mix of Combat and everything else. There will be periods from, say, 80:20 in favor of RP, but also in favor of Combat. That said, think about it. As long as it's fun, the ratio doesn't really matter much, does it? Player Party Rules: Good/Neutral aligments only. It's that sort of a game and that's it. No point in arguing xD :P You will be playing 5 young (17-20 years old or the appropriate number of years for other races. Use PHB as a guideline) friends (Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Couples, Best Friends and/or anything of the sort it up to the players!) that live in a semi large village, Water's End, in the land called Ibrena (More on the world later). You all want to leave the village in search of a new (more interesting?) life. However,among other things, the current economic situation doesn't really allow you to do so (More on this later). The size (and some parts) of the village itself will depend on what kind of background you all think of, though it will most probably be a one where 200-1000 people live. Population will be mixed, though Humans are in majority. Other races may be judged by race by people in the world. (You'll probably understand more why when you read about the world). So the village itself will basically be somewhat modified by you, the players. Whatever you write, I may and most probably will use in the making of the village and the people living there ;) No matter what race/class you choose, you all are normal, young peasants (at the first glance, that is) with almost no money at all (It's not as dark as it may seem :P, more on this later). Meaning, apart from childhood mischiefs and playing on the edge of the village, you never actually went in your life. Use your imagination and creativity to explain (write) how your character learned the skills and abilities he posesses, whether they are physical or of the mind. Did your character learn to wield a wooden sword and thus learned the finer arts of combat movement and fighting in general? Or did one of your ancestors serve in the war, and the family kept his, now very rusty, weapon and taught you some moves? Where exactly did you acquire the knowledge about magic, considering where you live? Etc. Etc. Remember, this is not a big city of anything of the sort, so keep that in mind when thinking of a background ;) Every character has to have at least one personal reason to leave the village, whether other characters (or some of them) know about it or not. (In case it's secret, you will send it only to me. Everything about a character can and most probably will be used at one point or another) Besides, having personal reasons, plans, goals and aspirations makes it so much easier to get into character and roleplay and ultimately have more fun! I encourage you to work together on the background(s) if you have friends that play on roll20. More minds usually come up with better ideas than one brain does (Well, 9 times out of 10 :P) Plus, perhaps that way you could make a an even more interesting mix of characters :) I'm willing (and really want) to reward personal and/or group background in some way. It may be money, a certain item, skill proficiency, bonus starting xp, etc., depending on the background story I'm rewarding. Other what's written before, there are no restrictions (as it all that wasn't enough, eh?) on what kind of background you can make up and I will look more favourably on the ones that fit a semi large village in a more or less remote area (Again, read about the world before thinking of a character) About the world: World setting is Forgotten Realms, though the look of the world is homebrewed . Basically it means you could, in theory, encounter anything and everything, depending where you go., just like in original FR. The story takes place on one of the continents named Kodari. (Sorry, but I haven't decided on the name of the world yet because, to be honest, it isn't of importance at the moment. It's a continent which consists of variety of different landscapes, weather conditions, eco-systems and so on. Just imagine Earth like atmosphere but with many strange races, animals, monsters, plants and life in general living across the world; and there you have it. Every habitant of the world has their own desires and goals. Depending on their power, the „schemes“ might be grand or miniscule. It might be some ancient creature wanting to change the world for better or worse or simply a small population of rabbits that have and need to move around due to shortage of food. You get the picture :P The point is, millions of plans are set in motion and basically make the world and life go around as they say. Also, player actions can and will make an impact to the world, again, some in major and some in very small way. Short background story: Few hundreds years ago a huge Horde of Orcs, Goblins and creatures alike threatened the realm. On the opposite side, after a grueling political discussions that nearly took too much time, Silver Alliance was created. Humans, Elves, Dwarves and other goodly folk united under one banner and rose up against the incoming onslaught. However, even if someone thought they were in for one big battle and done, was greately mistaken. The War lasted for almost a hundred years and was fought all across the realm. Generations fought and died in it and it was all one big continuous bloodfest. Finally, after oh so long, in a unimaginably huge battle north of Ibrena, the remaining armies colided. After hours of fighting, thanks to the superior tactics and extreme dedication and discipline, the Orc leaders fell at last, making the others scatter and retreat. Having half-expected that kind of outcome, Silver Alliance set several ambush armies which proceeded to decimate the retreating forces. They chased the routed enemy all the way east to Sandall, a forest of huge pine trees. Having killed so many and seeing how the orcs ran for their lives without any other thought, they knew the war was won. Orcs scattered all across the forest, never to be seen again. While the war was won, grave consequences waited to be faced. Generations of brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers and sons and daughters were lost during the so called Years of the Dead. Family lines were exterminated, animals brought to the brink of extinction, all the while the land itself suffered. It is said you can still find a huge piece of burned and ruined land with many ruined towers, keeps and castles. Only problem is, after so many years it's a question whether the nature hid it too well with moss, shrubs and even trees. The war left different scars as well. Natural resources were largely depleted, leaving the access to elements such as gold and iron limited at best. Even if someone by some luck found an untouched vein, sooner than later Kings army shows up and claims it in the name of the King. That said, there were no news about anyone finding a new vein in the recent years. As for the weapons and armor, a lot of people kept some from the war, but most of it was taken in the name of the King of that time. War left the land and people vulnerable in more ways than one and the most of the nobles didn't hesitate to act on it. Single most important law was created soon after the war ended. Kings Council, corrupt as it is, voted for increasing the value of gold compared to other currency. As of that day, one gold coin is worth a hundred silver pieces instead of ten. One silver remains to be worth ten coppers. Essentially, it made the rich even richer. Chances to see a gold coin for a commoner are now slim to none. Most jobs pay few coppers a day and the more lucrative ones probably earn you a couple of silver pieces, so that alone says a lot. The fact that Kingdom controlled basically every iron vein in the land made it really hard for the smiths to keep a constant amount of raw materials for their wares.This is the main reason why there's so few weapons and armor available today and for what seems to be a very high price. The quality of most equipment is lousy at best (Meaning most have a negative modifier to dmg. Also, they are even weaker against armor of good quality, especially heavy armor) and good steel is hard to find, even in larger towns. Most likely, you will see someone wearing some sort of a leather armor, while it would take a bit of luck to see someone wearing chain. Horses are fairly common, but expensive. The food and the drinks remain the same, ranging from a copper to several silver pieces, depending where you are and what you order. Prices of basic, daily things vary from place to place, but haven't really changed, making it available fairly easily. Forests grew back with years so the wood is plenty.In fact, iIt's easier to have a good bow than a good dagger nowadays, though the amount, the quality and the type of arrows is another question :P After the corruption showed its ugly teeth, Elves were the first one to leave Ibrena. Though, some remained, living here and there, but most returned to their magical forests on Islands of Ilendia, far to the east. While the dwarves proved more inclined to politics and its games compared to Elves, a majority of them did return to their homes in the Andorax mountains, to the north. While almost nothing was heard from Elves afterwards, trade routes with the Dwarves were reestablished. The major one is between Dal Thorim, Dwarven Capital deep in the Andorax mountains and Kelindar, a huge castle/city in the middle of Ibrena, ruled by the King of Ibrena also called King of Humans by some. It is also a common knowledge that Kelindar was first a huge castle, only to grow into a city over many years after the war. You, the players, come from a village called Water's End (Perhaps you were born in close distance to the village, but you do live there for quite some time now; atleast long enough to know most of the people in it). While not a very creative name, its founders thought it made sense due to the fact that here the river ends. In fact, it enters the ground, unable to be seen after. The river isn't a big one, though few small boats or rafts can fit next to each other and still pass normally. The current depends on the season, but it usually isn't that strong and a pair or two of paddles will make sure you get on without much hassle. Both ways, as well. Water's End is located in the western part of Ibrena, also reffered to as Land of Humans. And rightly so, about 80% of the people living in Ibrena are Humans. It has several inns, taverns and general stores, a smith, a leatherworker, a lumbermill, woodshop and other usual things. Once I have your BG's, I will decide what else and, of course, let you know (after all, your characters live there for quite some time now. Also, this list isn't a final one and some locations might be scrapped for the „final product“ xD). Again, I will decide the finer details after I get your BG's, but essentially you are 5 young friends. (I repeat: Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Couples, Best Friends and/or anything of the sort it up to the players!). Among other reasons, you all want to leave the vilage and simply to see the world. (Your BG's should include at least one reason why. The more the better) However, the times are (still) hard and it's not easy earning even few coppers, let alone an amount that would provide for a, somewhat safer, journey. Sure you could leave now, with some food, water and few coins, but you're wise enough to know the roads are not safe for that. You know there are ocassional caravans and travelers passing through the village, but, so far, most of them demanded too much money or could only take one or two of you with them.As you didn't want to split up (*Don't split the party song in the background*), so you kept searching and thinking of another ways. After some time of trying, you took a bit of a breather for a week or so, but the lure of unseen world is to big. Yesterday, you decided to try together once and for all and agreed to meet the next morning in your favorite inn, The Fat Monk. There and then you you will pool your money and possessions, weigh your options and find ways to earn enough money or whatever is neccessary in order to finally leave. It is true that you haven't really thought about where exactly do you *want* to go, but that come later, you decide. No matter what, one thing's for certain. You're giving your dreams a go and that's all that matters. Excitement awaits! Few more notes: I don't mind if you have minimal D&D experience as long as you can know how to think and decide on your actions as if you were your character. I want a game where each character, fueled by his short and long term plans, goals and desires,personality and background, acts accordingly and essentially runs the game with other players. DM is here to fill in the rest and provide the players with information they would be able to have if they were where their character is ;) I'm sure you know what I mean Phew, almost done xD (Something tells me, most gave up long before this point xD) I know that you will have (a lot of) questions and by all means, ask them! Also, I didn't write everything I'd like to, because I simply can't remember everything and I've reread it several times xD So, want to know more? Ask away And if you made it to here, thanks for the interest xD p.s. You can post here or send me pvt message.
