[5e] [Big 16] Medieval warfare themed adventure

[dangelo]

Game full!

System: 5e
Player Count: 4
Style of Play: Player-driven, open-ended with a clear objective
Allowed Content:

* Anything officially published.
* No UA or Homebrew
* If we get more applicants than spots, I'll prioritize PHB content a as personal preference

Character Creation:

* Everyone gets the Skill Expert feat for free
* At least one Ranger is necessary for the game to work
* A Fighter (Cavalier) is desired, though not mandatory
* Only one spellcaster allowed, maybe two (Paladin and Ranger don't count for this purpose)

Backstory: Just make sure you have solid Personality Traits, Flaws, Ideals and Bonds written on your sheet. That's all I need to motivate your characters and play around with their quirks.
Experience: 5th Level
Wealth: 2 Uncommon Magic Items and whatever mundane items you may want and can carry on you. King Harald provided for you.
Ability Scores: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 (+1 from Skill Expert, +ASI)
Hitpoints/Health: Roll, take Average if it rolls below Average. First one is maxed
Alignment: Any
Other Notes: Your character must remain loyal to King Harald all throughout the story, whether you're a lawful good paladin fighting for honor or a chaotic evil rogue serving the king for coin. One of your characters will be the official commander of these knights (normally a highborn cavalier, but not necessarily), though that's just a formality. In practice, the four of you hold council and debate the best course of action together.


https://i.ibb.co/SmxdvBy/hex.jpg

The map is 40 hex wide and each hex represents 6 miles, which means your army can move a total of 4 hexes every day (unless you push into a Forced March). Rivers can be forded, but their hex counts as difficult terrain. Mountain hexes are blocked (There are spots where you can cross, but you gotta scout ahead and find them before you take the army). Forests are difficult terrain, but offer guaranteed concealment against enemy units.

Objetive: You must lead your unit of 300 mounted knights accross the map from West to East. You'll begin at the westernmost point of the map - Going back by ship (the way you came) can be especially dangerous, but quick. Marching north around the mountains would be fast enough, but the area around the King's Road is patrolled by enemy cavalry. Going through mountains and woods would be stealthy and safe, but slow, so it will consume your resources. If you run out of food for the troops, you'll have to raid villages for plunder, which is not dangerous but costs time and announces your position.

Scounting: Whether to find a way through the mountains or just look for enemy scouts, you'll often wanna detatch from the troops and travel as a lighter, stealthier unit. Instead of Random Encounters in a dungeon, there will be issues that must be solved so your army can travel safely: get rid of the minotaur guarding the gate, sabotage enemy troops, convince the druids of those woods to let you pass, etc. Skill checks, roleplay and sometimes battles will determine how fast and how well you solve these issues. Keep in mind you must reach King Harald as fast as possible.

Battles: If you're spotted and intercepted by enemy cavalry, the PCs will face proper enemy champions while the soldiers fight in the background. I'm toying with the idea of giving each player each a few knights to control in certain battles, or to allow you to do special attacks once per encounter, like ordering archers to shoot a volley at a 10-foot radius area and things like that. I'm still on the fence about all this, but I'll make sure not to go overboard with it. Not really trying to turn D&D into a different game.

---


Updated map with each biome more clearly defined. I realize villages, mountains and rivers weren't hex-exact and that's kinda important in a hexcrawl.


https://imgbb.host/images/6qucu.jpeg

Mountains are blocked, but can be explored for passages. Woods grant concealment against enemy troops. Villages can be raided and plundered for food, in case you linger too much. King Harald commanded you to kick the villagers out of their houses and send them to the town by Riverlord's Keep, which is Wilhem's capital. You're still burning his crops and breaking his economy, but there's no slaughter. This is heavy cavalry composed of dutiful noble knights.

Crossing rivers:
1. You enter the river hex normally.
2. You decide to cross, and spend 1 hex to do it.
3. You enter the next hex normally.

This is so you can march alongside a river without crossing it, as observed in the example below:
https://imgbb.host/images/6v3Sr.png

While the real war is being fought by King Harald to the East, his majesty has sent the PCs ahead of a heavy cavalry unit by ship to create pressure on the opposite side of Wilhem's province. Those ships are still available, and can be sailed up and down the rivers. With good wind, ships will move 8 hexes per day rather than 4. Boarding the ships should cost a hex of movement.

Zoomed-out regional map for clarification:

https://imgbb.host/images/6v8vc.jpeg

[Feathersnow]

Definitely interested.

[Infernally Clay]

So you mean something like...?


You are the generals of King Harald's great army, proudly leading your fellow soldiers and crushing his enemies as he seeks to expand his territory in neighbouring lands, but one day you hear news that Castle Onyxgate, the seat of King Harald's power, has been attacked and occupied.

You must now march, with your army, eight hundred miles home and liberate the crown jewel of your kingdom. The journey will be harsh and many dangers will try to impede you, from monster dens to assassins sent to stop you from reaching your goal. The more of your army you safely lead home, the better your chances of liberating it, but you know the true battle will begin at the castle gates. It will take everything you have to free the king yourself, or die trying.

[dangelo]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/17/9b/de179b163d8db341026d37a7ec3dac0a.jpg

Exactly that mood, though in a smaller scale. I'd do a better job narrating lieutenants instead of generals, so there are smaller numbers on our screens. Perhaps a band of ~40 mounted knights under your command, it has a degree of importance and we avoid having hundreds of meaningless npcs dying in the background.

A ranger would be mandatory as the PCs will often want to scout ahead of the troops. Maybe limit the party to only one spellcaster, to give a low-fantasy military focused mood? Explore the moral dilemmas of using magic as a weapon of war?

[dangelo]

Instead of going to bed early and getting more than 4 hours of sleep, I found myself hyperfocused on this idea. Here's what I'm cooking up:

https://i.ibb.co/SmxdvBy/hex.jpg

Map legend:
[White houses] Peasant hamlets
[Black houses] Lumberjack camps
[Harbor] Fishermen villages
[City] Riverlord's Keep

You are deep within enemy territory: A small elite unit sent ahead to create pressure on the other side of the enemy province, the River Lands. Meanwhile, King Harald faces Lord Wilhem in open field just outside the map to the East.

Wilhem is Harald's uncle and Lord of the River Lands, and claims that in the past the Church of Pelor has proclaimed the younger brother of the king as his successor rather than the first-born, and that this law can be evoked again in the present. Some of Harald's vassals sided with Wilhem when both sides called their banners.

Under King Harald's orders, you have defeated local garrisons and put their crops to the torch. Innocents were spared and sent away to spread the news and draw even more attention from Lord Wilhem's forces to the West. But a raven from the king brought you urgent news that changed the entire operation: the enemy had besieged the capital of the realm. All units were to return and join forces to liberate the city.

[samduke]

Possible interest pending big 16

[Feathersnow]

I'd like to play as a Sorcerer, perhaps using a 3rd party Blue Mage (from final fantasy) bloodline, or maybe pyromancer if that is disallowed.

[JNAProductions]

Also curious about the mechanical recruitment details.
Might play a Druid, not sure.

[JbeJ275]

I'd be very interested, potntially as either a ranger (especially if Revised Ranger was permitted) or perhaps a paladin.

[dangelo]

Thanks for your interest everyone. Here's a proper Big 16:

System: 5e
Player Count: 4
Style of Play: Player-driven, open-ended with a clear objective
Allowed Content:

* Anything officially published.
* No UA or Homebrew
* If we get more applicants than spots, I'll prioritize PHB content a as personal preference

Character Creation:

* Everyone gets the Skill Expert feat for free
* At least one Ranger is necessary for the game to work
* A Fighter (Cavalier) is desired, though not mandatory
* Only one spellcaster allowed, maybe two (Paladin and Ranger don't count for this purpose)

Backstory: Just make sure you have solid Personality Traits, Flaws, Ideals and Bonds written on your sheet. That's all I need to motivate your characters and play around with their quirks.
Experience: 5th Level
Wealth: 2 Uncommon Magic Items and whatever mundane items you may want and can carry on you. King Harald provided for you.
Ability Scores: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 (+1 from Skill Expert, +ASI)
Hitpoints/Health: Roll, take Average if it rolls below Average. First one is maxed
Alignment: Any
Other Notes: Your character must remain loyal to King Harald all throughout the story, whether you're a lawful good paladin fighting for honor or a chaotic evil rogue serving the king for coin. One of your characters will be the official commander of these knights (normally a highborn cavalier, but not necessarily), though that's just a formality. In practice, the four of you hold council and debate the best course of action together.


https://i.ibb.co/SmxdvBy/hex.jpg

The map is 40 hex wide and each hex represents 6 miles, which means your army can move a total of 4 hexes every day (unless you push into a Forced March). Rivers can be forded, but their hex counts as difficult terrain. Mountain hexes are blocked (There are spots where you can cross, but you gotta scout ahead and find them before you take the army). Forests are difficult terrain, but offer guaranteed concealment against enemy units.

Objetive: You must lead your unit of 300 mounted knights accross the map from West to East. You'll begin at the westernmost point of the map - Going back by ship (the way you came) can be especially dangerous, but quick. Marching north around the mountains would be fast enough, but the area around the King's Road is patrolled by enemy cavalry. Going through mountains and woods would be stealthy and safe, but slow, so it will consume your resources. If you run out of food for the troops, you'll have to raid villages for plunder, which is not dangerous but costs time and announces your position.

Scounting: Whether to find a way through the mountains or just look for enemy scouts, you'll often wanna detatch from the troops and travel as a lighter, stealthier unit. Instead of Random Encounters in a dungeon, there will be issues that must be solved so your army can travel safely: get rid of the minotaur guarding the gate, sabotage enemy troops, convince the druids of those woods to let you pass, etc. Skill checks, roleplay and sometimes battles will determine how fast and how well you solve these issues. Keep in mind you must reach King Harald as fast as possible.

Battles: If you're spotted and intercepted by enemy cavalry, the PCs will face proper enemy champions while the soldiers fight in the background. I'm toying with the idea of giving each player each a few knights to control in certain battles, or to allow you to do special attacks once per encounter, like ordering archers to shoot a volley at a 10-foot radius area and things like that. I'm still on the fence about all this, but I'll make sure not to go overboard with it. Not really trying to turn D&D into a different game.
-----


I'd like to play as a Sorcerer, perhaps using a 3rd party Blue Mage (from final fantasy) bloodline, or maybe pyromancer if that is disallowed.
Sorry, I have trouble designing encounters and challenges when there's Homebrew involved. Nothing against the creativity in itself.


Also curious about the mechanical recruitment details.
Might play a Druid, not sure.
Druids are encouraged.


I'd be very interested, potntially as either a ranger (especially if Revised Ranger was permitted) or perhaps a paladin.
Revised Ranger is allowed, yes. Paladin is also encouraged.

[samduke]

@GM
Are players building the 300 men and their character, or are the 300 men generic and then the party lead those?

It appears there is a sorcerer a druid a ranger

So I could go build yhe fighter knight type not sure about cavalier

[JNAProductions]

HP roll:

[roll0]

Luna Starbright (https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2903307) is ready for action!
And, while I know you said all that's NEEDED is the traits section filled out, I like writing a lil' more.

The Story
Luna was born to negligent parents. One was an elf-a particularly fey inclined one, one foot here on the Material, one in the Feywild. Her partner, of the time, was a hedonistic man. He didn't care much for children. And her mother, well... She was not all there. So Luna's story would've ended, left in a mushroom circle on the night of a full moon, had she not been found by Velguardr. The druid happened upon her, and seeing no one to care for the baby, took her in themself. Velguardr was new to being a parent, but they did their best, and raised Luna with a strong moral compass, a strong set of skills for the wilderness, a heaping helping of magical knowledge.

In time, though, Velguardr moved on. Like the passing of the seasons, a druid of their power is not beholden to one location, but to the world at large. They felt that Luna had learned enough to survive and thrive on her own.
And they were right-for a time.

Wilhelm's betrayal of norms was not without its buildup. King Harald and his father before him were on good terms with the local circles. Luna herself, from her home near Wilhelm's domain, worked with the local villages and townsfolk to provide for good crops and safe, sustainable lumber. But, as Wilhelm looked to consolidate power in his urge for the throne, he needed someone to make the enemy. The king was, for the moment, too well-regarded to realistically besmirch.
So, with a few "Druidic" agitators setting fire to fields, Wilhelm painted Luna and her associates as the enemy. As the most powerful caster and fighter amongst her folk, Luna knew that fighting back on their own would be suicide. She directed the others to hold fast, stay safe, and be smart; while she went directly to Harald. By the time she arrived, Wilhelm had already begun his full assault, making her message moot, but her powers all the more needed.


The Circles
Luna is a 5th level Druid. The rest of the druidic folk maybe hit level one. A good number of them can cast cantrips a couple of times before tiring out. Some can cast basic healing spells, helping with minor injuries. But the only one with real combat power is Luna. Many of her friends know rituals, but those are hours or days long affairs requiring much setup.


Luna As A Person
Despite Wilhelm's trickery, Luna is friendly and trusting. She always tries to see the good in others, is always ready to lend a helping hand, and can easily be considered naïve because of that. She is quick to defend her friends and comrades, and quick to consider someone a friend to boot. But betray her trust, and you will see her fury.

[dangelo]

Luna Starbright (https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2903307) is ready for action!
And, while I know you said all that's NEEDED is the traits section filled out, I like writing a lil' more.
Oh, that was quick! Thanks, I'll give it a read.


@GM
Are players building the 300 men and their character, or are the 300 men generic and then the party lead those?

Just your own characters. The 300 knights will have generic soldier sheets if their stats become relevant.

Thinking about it, I'd say they should have very few hitpoints (maybe 15) and a single longsword/lance attack, AC 18 and speed 60 ft. This way we'd have a heavy cavalry unit that's fast enough to avoid bad skirmishes but also can endure several exchanges without taking wounds.

[samduke]

@dangelo
can we trade tools & or musical instruments for languages ?

Percilla
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mgBy1XiQZ7_qxGKLXsLfWQw-ZdMhJ25rPazQ8-PWpJM/edit?usp=sharing)

need to roll hp still but basically done

Uncommon magic items
Headband of Intellect - Intelligence score is 19
Sword of Vengeance (Longsword)

[JbeJ275]

Sheet of my own just awaiting finalised backstory.

Santhor (https://og.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2903365)

[Lioslaith]

Sheet of my own just awaiting finalised backstory.

Santhor (https://og.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2903365)

If you would rather do the paladin I would happily submit a ranger. No worries if you'd rather not though.

[dangelo]

Luna Starbright (https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2903307) is ready for action!
And, while I know you said all that's NEEDED is the traits section filled out, I like writing a lil' more.
Nice work with that background. I seems that Luna's circle lived in this very region, so to justify her lack of knowledge about the mountains and how to cross them, let's say they are especially dangerous: wyverns, bandits, raiders, enraged elementals, orc tribes, plus it's said that all the druid circle of these mountains have gone mad centuries ago.

Should you venture through the woods in the central area of the map, you may revisit special places of power where druids used to gather before the Fire Nation attacked Wilhem exhiled them. More horrors of war!


@dangelo
can we trade tools & or musical instruments for languages ?
Sure


Percilla
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mgBy1XiQZ7_qxGKLXsLfWQw-ZdMhJ25rPazQ8-PWpJM/edit?usp=sharing)

need to roll hp still but basically done

Uncommon magic items
Headband of Intellect - Intelligence score is 19
Sword of Vengeance (Longsword)
Cool, your sheet checks out. Battle Master is just as adequate as Cavalier for this role, and Squire of Solamina is gonna be very useful as you'll often fight oh horseback in this game.

Quick question about her race: Is Percilla a bugbear who was raised by nobles and therefore is part of human nobility, or is her entire noble house composed of bugbears, or is her a bugbear reflavored as human? Or something else that I'm missing?


Sheet of my own just awaiting finalised backstory.

Santhor (https://og.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=2903365)
Sweet. Horde Breaker should be fun :P


If you would rather do the paladin I would happily submit a ranger. No worries if you'd rather not though.
I guess I -could- accept two Rangers, provided they're built completely different? I might prioritize not overlapping classes if we end up having more applicants tho.

[Lioslaith]

I’m good with a paladin too. My idea for a ranger was going to be a gloomstalker tabaxi. I could go with a path of ancients paladin too. Or another path if you think that fits better

[samduke]

Cool, your sheet checks out. Battle Master is just as adequate as Cavalier for this role, and Squire of Solamina is gonna be very useful as you'll often fight oh horseback in this game.

I thought so. also put a warhorse with gear on sheet



Quick question about her race: Is Percilla a bugbear who was raised by nobles and therefore is part of human nobility, or is her entire noble house composed of bugbears, or is her a bugbear reflavored as human? Or something else that I'm missing?


I used the Noble background for the ideals ect. as it made the most sense for the knight of solamnia background

Noble Obligation: -> a bugbear who was raised by nobles and therefore is part of human nobility and has an obligation to the human noble house

[samduke]

sorry for the double post
fighter hit points
[roll0]

(4d10)[10][5][1][5](21) well average is 6 so 10+6+6+6 =28+ lvl 1= 10 + con mod

[Flashkannon]

I'm quite interested in this campaign and I have an idea for a blindsight-focused drow ranger I could put together, but unless I'm missing something (which, I do not often seek out games on the OOTS forum, so it's quite possible), in what medium would this be played, and if not Play by Post, at what time?

[dangelo]

I’m good with a paladin too. My idea for a ranger was going to be a gloomstalker tabaxi. I could go with a path of ancients paladin too. Or another path if you think that fits better
No, Oath of the Ancients work nicely. Your paladin would probably have a good relationship with local druids, so you have even more reaons to oppose the usurper Lord Wilhem.


I thought so. also put a warhorse with gear on sheet



I used the Noble background for the ideals ect. as it made the most sense for the knight of solamnia background

Noble Obligation: -> a bugbear who was raised by nobles and therefore is part of human nobility and has an obligation to the human noble house
Awesome. There are indeed high ranking knights who are both human outsider and nonhuman, and they usually have quite a reputation. I can see Percilla getting a nickname like "the Goblin Knight" or something like that, especially if she's the kind that would fight tournaments in addition to wars.


I'm quite interested in this campaign and I have an idea for a blindsight-focused drow ranger I could put together, but unless I'm missing something (which, I do not often seek out games on the OOTS forum, so it's quite possible), in what medium would this be played, and if not Play by Post, at what time?
It will be play-by-post yes. I can deliver posts every other day, and usually every day during combat, unless something comes up that will keep me from posting. Might also have a discord server for ooc chatter if everyone's on board with it.

[Flashkannon]

It will be play-by-post yes. I can deliver posts every other day, and usually every day during combat, unless something comes up that will keep me from posting. Might also have a discord server for ooc chatter if everyone's on board with it.

Then, I'll humbly submit the Revised Ranger I just cooked up. Only liberty I really took was using the custom background rules, but that's PHB either way.

Ginarie Yl'tizte (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11cBtlO_I11G_kmNpR87cB0qKiS1LHVk0HlvwGXyTYWs/edit#gid=1750226729)

HP rolls were 4, 9, 8, 7
You said HP would default to average if one were to roll below average, so that evens out to 50 total.

I built her on the principle of an unfair fight - from an in-universe standpoint, at least. She's not the best archer, and tends to fight close to mid-range, but her preferred tactics obviate a good deal of her weaknesses. I'm grateful there's a druid, really, that should provide some great synergy when using heavy obscurement.

[GeoffWatson]

As an observation, you'll need a strong reason for sea travel to not be an option - it would be much faster than land travel.

[dangelo]

Then, I'll humbly submit the Revised Ranger I just cooked up. Only liberty I really took was using the custom background rules, but that's PHB either way.

Ginarie Yl'tizte (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11cBtlO_I11G_kmNpR87cB0qKiS1LHVk0HlvwGXyTYWs/edit#gid=1750226729)

HP rolls were 4, 9, 8, 7
You said HP would default to average if one were to roll below average, so that evens out to 50 total.

I built her on the principle of an unfair fight - from an in-universe standpoint, at least. She's not the best archer, and tends to fight close to mid-range, but her preferred tactics obviate a good deal of her weaknesses. I'm grateful there's a druid, really, that should provide some great synergy when using heavy obscurement.
It's nice that you went for a melee/mid range fighter, since we also have a sharpshooter-type ranger in the ring. Plus there should be both daytime and nighttime encounters so I can see your character having plenty of opportunities to explore that build.

I should say though, if we end up having more applicants than spots, I'll probably choose not have two rangers in the same group. But we currently don't, so who knows?

----

As an observation, you'll need a strong reason for sea travel to not be an option - it would be much faster than land travel.
Please check the Big 16 again:

Going back by ship (the way you came) can be especially dangerous, but quick. Marching north around the mountains would be fast enough, but the area around the King's Road is patrolled by enemy cavalry. Going through mountains and woods would be stealthy and safe, but slow, so it will consume your resources.
Wilhelm's fleet will be patrolling the coast, so this will be tricky to pull off. Going back by ship is a high risk/high reward option, since several knights would drown if a single ship goes down, and I believe it would require five or six fast moving war galleys to transport all 300 of them. It is also possible to sail up and down the main rivers of this region.

----
So, our list of submitted sheets would be a druid, a fighter, two rangers and possibly a paladin? I'd like to keep momentum and start the game sooner rather than later, so I won't keep this thread going for much longer.

[samduke]

just a generic comment if all the spots are not yet filled and it appears 5 applications, it could be safe to presume that each "leader/player" would or could be in charge of X # of the 300 which at the moment could be 60 each. looking at the map provided I can see spots where "scouting could render a way across, and other than by sea or around to the north the only other spot that I can see is a small pass way to the south.

@gm relatable question is do the 300 soldiers need to stay together or can the players split them up and go different directions ?

[Lioslaith]

Hit point rolls.

[roll0]

[Flashkannon]

It's nice that you went for a melee/mid range fighter, since we also have a sharpshooter-type ranger in the ring. Plus there should be both daytime and nighttime encounters so I can see your character having plenty of opportunities to explore that build.
Ah, see - something I never quite consciously acknowledged until I sat down and thought about it is that bows are as effective from a range of 10 feet as they are from 120. Not specializing also gives me incentive to enter melee distance and use the rapier at times. Really, I have to thank you for allowing two uncommon items - normally, this character would necessarily be leashed to concentrating on Fog Cloud, but the Eversmoking Bottle (and to a lesser extent the Nature's Mantle) frees her up for all kinds of tactics, enabled by keen hearing and the Heavily Obscured condition. She may be weak when the sun shines above her head, but by her power, she'll never let that happen.

Speaking of, a discord server sounds like a good idea for organization.


I should say though, if we end up having more applicants than spots, I'll probably choose not have two rangers in the same group. But we currently don't, so who knows?
What will be will be! Either way, this sounds like a fun idea, and I hope you get to run it all the way to the end.

[Infernally Clay]

Well if the current list is indeed "a druid, a fighter, two rangers and possibly a paladin", I was thinking a Rogue but I think I'll have more fun with a Trickery Cleric or perhaps a bit of both.

Maybe a Rogue 2 / Cleric 3? Such a character would be a little behind on spellcasting of course but it shouldn't be too much of a problem and if we're levelling up I'd go Cleric from here on out...

I'll put them together and see how it looks.

[Lioslaith]

WIP sheet, I am sure there are errors https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2903719

Not 100% settled on the feat. Might look at inspiring leader if chosen.

[JNAProductions]

Well if the current list is indeed "a druid, a fighter, two rangers and possibly a paladin", I was thinking a Rogue but I think I'll have more fun with a Trickery Cleric or perhaps a bit of both.

Maybe a Rogue 2 / Cleric 3? Such a character would be a little behind on spellcasting of course but it shouldn't be too much of a problem and if we're levelling up I'd go Cleric from here on out...

I'll put them together and see how it looks.

The DM did say they only want one caster. I'd check with them how they'd consider a multiclass.

[dangelo]

just a generic comment if all the spots are not yet filled and it appears 5 applications, it could be safe to presume that each "leader/player" would or could be in charge of X # of the 300 which at the moment could be 60 each. looking at the map provided I can see spots where "scouting could render a way across, and other than by sea or around to the north the only other spot that I can see is a small pass way to the south.
I wasn't counting Lioslaith since he hadn't submitted a sheet yet, so at the time we had 4 applications for 4 spots. I don't wanna discourage players from going for their concepts while also I wanna be clear about my priorities when picking players for the game.


@gm relatable question is do the 300 soldiers need to stay together or can the players split them up and go different directions ?
We could certainly split the 300 knights evenly among all 4 PCs so each has their own retinue so to speak. But that's more roleplay flavor than actual mechanics, as in the end you are expected to hold council and make decisions together like a normal adventurer's party. For example, if at some point it becomes interesting for the PCs to split the 300 into 200/50/50, for example, that would be done regardless of how many PC#1 has, how many PC#2 has, etc etc. Am I making any sense?

Now delving more deeply into the "roleplay flavor" aspect of my answer, I'd say all 4 PCs will have the authority to lead knights into war, wherever it comes from. Whether they have the noble right to do so like Percilla, or were imbued with that authority by the king despite being a pagan druid like Luna, the troops will see them as leaders and will take their orders no matter what. These are noble knights, honor and duty means a lot to them.

I might have elaborated too much lol. Please to nudge me to the right direction if I missed your point.


Ah, see - something I never quite consciously acknowledged until I sat down and thought about it is that bows are as effective from a range of 10 feet as they are from 120. Not specializing also gives me incentive to enter melee distance and use the rapier at times. Really, I have to thank you for allowing two uncommon items - normally, this character would necessarily be leashed to concentrating on Fog Cloud, but the Eversmoking Bottle (and to a lesser extent the Nature's Mantle) frees her up for all kinds of tactics, enabled by keen hearing and the Heavily Obscured condition. She may be weak when the sun shines above her head, but by her power, she'll never let that happen.
Level 5 is already kinda low for "champion" PCs, so I figured two uncommon items would help give them some personality.


Speaking of, a discord server sounds like a good idea for organization.

What will be will be! Either way, this sounds like a fun idea, and I hope you get to run it all the way to the end.
I'm also hoping we can get a discord server for this, as it makes ooc discussions more agile in my experience, though some prefer to keep their games strictly forum-based so I try to ask first.


Well if the current list is indeed "a druid, a fighter, two rangers and possibly a paladin", I was thinking a Rogue but I think I'll have more fun with a Trickery Cleric or perhaps a bit of both.

Maybe a Rogue 2 / Cleric 3? Such a character would be a little behind on spellcasting of course but it shouldn't be too much of a problem and if we're levelling up I'd go Cleric from here on out...

I'll put them together and see how it looks.

The DM did say they only want one caster. I'd check with them how they'd consider a multiclass.
The design behind the "1 spellcaster" rule is to limit your access to 3rd level spells. Rogue 2/Cleric 3 would only give you access to 2nd level spells, like Paladin 5 or Ranger 5. So it's fine!


WIP sheet, I am sure there are errors https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2903719

Not 100% settled on the feat. Might look at inspiring leader if chosen.
Reading your Personality traits/Ideals/Bonds/Flaws and Background (Outlander), I tend to think your character would be quite familiar to Luna's druid circle, and other circles around the realm. As an Outlander Paladin I imagine your character would roam the countryside in his crusade for balance in the natural world, and since his flaw reads "I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and societies", I imagine his priority would be the human kingdom he was born into .

Wilhem had a good relationship with these druids, who inhabited mostly the woods in the central area of the map (though there are smaller groves scattered around hamlets that sometimes housed druids too). My question is: If a noble lord who respects nature (only plowing enough fields for their sustain, no excessive farming and woodcutting, no burning woods to make shorter roads, things like that) asked Galinmorn to fight for him in a war, would he be tempted to accept? Is there a reward this noble could offer Galinmorn that might convince him to fight a war?

I'm asking that to figure out if your character might have fought for Wilhem the Usurper in the past, back when he was still a friend to the druids. -Currently- he is kicking them out of his land, so you have plenty of motivation to fight for King Harald.

[Lioslaith]

My intent was to be sort of ancestrally obligated to fight for whomever needed him. I was assuming that was the king but yes. His obligation would extend to the kings vassals, etc.

[Flashkannon]

Level 5 is already kinda low for "champion" PCs, so I figured two uncommon items would help give them some personality.
Indeed, and it very much does. There's a few magic items that can really change a playstyle, like a Hat of Disguise, or a Broom of Flying, or even the humble Bag of Holding. When I was playing an artificer, I was even considering the power of the Bracers of Archery - beyond their usual use to match a damage bonus to the +2 to attack rolls an archer gains from the Archery fighting style, given a cooperative but unskilled humanoid of reasonable dexterity and an hour, you can simply make your own ranged support any time you please. The Cloak of the Manta Ray can change campaigns, depending on the setting. Imagine being a one-person submersible on the high seas - not just the underwater breathing, but the speed itself can have some interesting applications.



I'm also hoping we can get a discord server for this, as it makes ooc discussions more agile in my experience, though some prefer to keep their games strictly forum-based so I try to ask first.

Agreed, I've had similar experiences with the discord-based games I've run.



The design behind the "1 spellcaster" rule is to limit your access to 3rd level spells. Rogue 2/Cleric 3 would only give you access to 2nd level spells, like Paladin 5 or Ranger 5. So it's fine!

Absolutely - third level spells can really change the way the game is played, from a quick Revivify from a Cleric, or the mighty Fireball from a Warlock - especially devastating to tightly packed and not especially dextrous knights in formation. I'm partial to Plant Growth, myself - in a wooded or even grassy area, it can staple a small army in place.

[Infernally Clay]

Rolling for hit points!

Hit Points: [roll0]

The average is 5, right? So 10+7+8+9+7 for 41 hit points.

[dangelo]

My intent was to be sort of ancestrally obligated to fight for whomever needed him. I was assuming that was the king but yes. His obligation would extend to the kings vassals, etc.
Looks like he runs the risk of facing valorous knights in the battlefield who once fought alongside him under Wilhem. Horrors of war!


Indeed, and it very much does. There's a few magic items that can really change a playstyle, like a Hat of Disguise, or a Broom of Flying, or even the humble Bag of Holding. When I was playing an artificer, I was even considering the power of the Bracers of Archery - beyond their usual use to match a damage bonus to the +2 to attack rolls an archer gains from the Archery fighting style, given a cooperative but unskilled humanoid of reasonable dexterity and an hour, you can simply make your own ranged support any time you please. The Cloak of the Manta Ray can change campaigns, depending on the setting. Imagine being a one-person submersible on the high seas - not just the underwater breathing, but the speed itself can have some interesting applications.
Now I wanna run a whole campaign based on Manta Ray... Or an adventurer's group in a magic carpet.


Absolutely - third level spells can really change the way the game is played, from a quick Revivify from a Cleric, or the mighty Fireball from a Warlock - especially devastating to tightly packed and not especially dextrous knights in formation. I'm partial to Plant Growth, myself - in a wooded or even grassy area, it can staple a small army in place.
Yup, and in this sorta low-magic setting, I like to think there are few magicians around, and their council is sought out by lords and ladies and kings and generals. Information about the enemy's court mage is vital. They can't just teleport to Waterdeep and hire a different wizard for different tasks :P

----

Here's an updated map with each biome more clearly defined. I realize villages, mountains and rivers weren't hex-exact and that's kinda important in a hexcrawl.


https://imgbb.host/images/6qucu.jpeg

Mountains are blocked, but can be explored for passages. Woods grant concealment against enemy troops. Villages can be raided and plundered for food, in case you linger too much. King Harald commanded you to kick the villagers out of their houses and send them to the town by Riverlord's Keep, which is Wilhem's capital. You're still burning his crops and breaking his economy, but there's no slaughter. This is heavy cavalry composed of dutiful noble knights.

Crossing rivers:
1. You enter the river hex normally.
2. You decide to cross, and spend 1 hex to do it.
3. You enter the next hex normally.

This is so you can march alongside a river without crossing it, as observed in the example below:
https://imgbb.host/images/6v3Sr.png

While the real war is being fought by King Harald to the East, his majesty has sent the PCs ahead of a heavy cavalry unit by ship to create pressure on the opposite side of Wilhem's province. Those ships are still available, and can be sailed up and down the rivers. With good wind, ships will move 8 hexes per day rather than 4. Boarding the ships should cost a hex of movement.

Zoomed-out regional map for clarification:

https://imgbb.host/images/6v8vc.jpeg

[Flashkannon]

Looks like he runs the risk of facing valorous knights in the battlefield who once fought alongside him under Wilhem. Horrors of war!
Ah, honor demanding a fight between comrades - a compelling tragedy.



Now I wanna run a whole campaign based on Manta Ray... Or an adventurer's group in a magic carpet.

Right?? I've yet to see or directly hear of a single underwater campaign since I started playing 5e, it's a hugely untapped space.



Yup, and in this sorta low-magic setting, I like to think there are few magicians around, and their council is sought out by lords and ladies and kings and generals. Information about the enemy's court mage is vital. They can't just teleport to Waterdeep and hire a different wizard for different tasks :P

Yeah, though unfortunately the 5e lack of banned schools means as long as their spellbook is replete, most wizards can do most things proficiently.



Here's an updated map with each biome more clearly defined. I realize villages, mountains and rivers weren't hex-exact and that's kinda important in a hexcrawl.

Looks like the King's Road may have skedaddled in the remake.



Crossing rivers:
1. You enter the river hex normally.
2. You decide to cross, and spend 1 hex to do it.
3. You enter the next hex normally.

This is so you can march alongside a river without crossing it, as observed in the example below:

While the real war is being fought by King Harald to the East, his majesty has sent the PCs ahead of a heavy cavalry unit by ship to create pressure on the opposite side of Wilhem's province. Those ships are still available, and can be sailed up and down the rivers. With good wind, ships will move 8 hexes per day rather than 4. Boarding the ships should cost a hex of movement.

Zoomed-out regional map for clarification:

Ooo, good info. I'm liking this more by the moment.

[dangelo]

Looks like the King's Road may have skedaddled in the remake.

Oops, my b.


https://imgbb.host/images/6vcxk.jpeg

[Infernally Clay]

Here's what I have so far (https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2904052) for Cheshire, the Rogueish Cleric.

Her being a Changeling is purely mechanical and in-game I would assume she is simply a regular ol' human who is exceptionally good at impersonating others.

Cheshire grew up without much and, like so many children in her position, she turned to a life of crime in order to survive. What set her apart from others like her, however, is the fact that she rarely ever stayed caught. One minute she's in her cell, the next she's impersonating a guard and gone out the back door before anyone even notices. Except someone did notice and when Cheshire had been caught one too many times she was brought before King Harald, who was in need of someone with Cheshire's... unique talents.

No longer needing to steal to survive, Cheshire was able to put her talents to a more fulfilling purpose and she bloomed. King Harald was right to believe she sees the world as a challenge to overcome and employed her to do just that. It was around this time that Cheshire received the blessings of Tymora, who seemed to believe Cheshire had made the right choice to use her talents to help others.

As such, Cheshire's role within the army is to gather information and sow confusion. She is to sneak into enemy encampments and fortifications, blend in, learn what she can of enemy movements and plans, edit and falsify documents to throw them off of her ally's movements and plans and get out without anyone ever knowing she was there in the first place. King Harald does not, however, ask her to assassinate people. Whether it's because he would not resort to such tactics, or because he knows Cheshire isn't a killer, is up to you.

[Lioslaith]

“Looks like he runs the risk of facing valorous knights in the battlefield who once fought alongside him under Wilhem. Horrors of war!”


I think that sounds like some outstanding opportunities for some deep role play!!!

[JNAProductions]

Dangelo, got a start date in mind?

[AvatarVecna]

[roll0]

Not quite a ranger, but Brooke Xiloscient (https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2904763) is just about ready to serve as a wilderness guide and scout for the king's forces.

[dangelo]

Hey there AvatarVecna, unfortunately we have already started the game. Sorry, I forgot to edit the thread to show it was filled. Hope you didn't spend too much time on that sheet </3 I may still PM you if we need alts tho

[AvatarVecna]

Hey there AvatarVecna, unfortunately we have already started the game. Sorry, I forgot to edit the thread to show it was filled. Hope you didn't spend too much time on that sheet </3 I may still PM you if we need alts tho

Eh maybe an hour? It's low-level, and pretty straightforward build. Best of luck!