OOC: Adventures in Hammershire (Basic Fantasy 4th Edition)

[TridentOfMirth]

I recently discovered Basic Fantasy 4th Edition and am itching to give it a shot as a GM. Thankfully, there were many interested players!

The rules are 100% free and can be found HERE

Spoiler: Background Fluff

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The campaign shall commence in the Duchy of Hammershire, which occupies a long yet narrow flood plain situated along the River Underoak. Hammershire is bordered by to the south by grassy hills known as the Old Ogre Downs, while the densely forested slopes called the Elflands are situated to the north. Hammershire had been lorded over by the "Half-Sized Dukes" of House Anlaf for nearly three hundred years before disaster struck.

The Duke, tired of the constant raids by the dwrven barbarians who had occupied the ruins of Leafslayer Keep, decided to muster an army and attack the ruin. However, given Leafslayer Keep's position at the summit of the tallest peak in the rugged Elflands, the siege was always going to be difficult. Halfway to the keep, the army was led astray by a guide, who directed the army into an ambush. The Duke and his entourage were the only ones who managed to escape the slaughter alive.

Taking the defeat personally, Duke Cynebehrt hired the Brotherhood of Surprise, a mercenary company known for their ability to tackle the toughest of enemies. Upon arrival in the capital of Oswyn, the Company Captain - Bertram the Redbellied - took one good look ruin of Leafslayer Keep and decided it would be too arduous to assault for the price he had originally agreed to. Bertram demanded triple the price. When the Duke refused, Bertram betrayed his halfling employers, killed the royal family and was quickly proclaimed & coronated as the new Duke.

The mixed human and halfling populace of the capital did not put up much of a fuss over the coup, as House Anlaf was seen as weak and incompetent, especially after the defeat at the Battle of Dwarven Savagery. Duke Bertram also lowered taxes on luxury goods, which greatly improved his standing with the merchants, the guilds, the wealthy & the nobles within the city. Yet to many in the countryside, they whisper their new Duke is Bertram the Redbellied Butcher and quietly hope for the Lost Prince of House Anlaf to return and take back the crown.

That was seven years ago. Bertram is older now and has taken to extravagant hunting expeditions. He leaves the maintenance of his realm to his daughter, the Countess of the Palace (heir apparent), Aveline, and his most trusted knight - Sir Galter. Sir Galter has long sought to wed Countess Aveline but she has rebuffed him every time, preferring instead to be courted by various other lords & knights, including the Castellan of Alberberg, Lord Pierre, who is said to be the greatest dualist in the whole realm. Sir Galter and the Countess of the Palace rarely see eye to eye, which has allowed for the enemies of the realm to slowly gain a foothold.

It falls to enterprising adventurers like yourselves to defend the realm and its people from the various barbarians & monsters that assail it (for a price, of course).

The campaign shall start in the small town of Oatwich, a majority halfling settlement that serves as the market town for the many villages and farmsteads that dot the nearby area. The town is lorded over by Castellana Simone of House Deschamps. The daughter of a great-axe-wielding mercenary & friend of Duke Bertram, Simone governs her territory judiciously. She is praised for her fairness and willingness to defend the common folk. The castellany has experienced many issues with goblins & gryphons recently. As such, Castellana Simone put out the call for adventurers seeking fame and fortune to aid the castellany in defeating these enemies.

Spoiler: Connected Threads:

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- In Character
--- Thread 1
- Out of Character
--- Thread 1
- Recruitment
--- Thread 1

[TridentOfMirth]

In your first post, please post your character sheet or a link to it. Also, select your speech colors. I will be speaking in Dark Orange and Orange.

[cqd]

Name: Wilbur Tumblefoot

Specs: Halfling Fighter

Character Sheet: https://codex.quest/u/AsxtzoU61db5IAA6d9IrEFFjh6a2/c/0JBAhxAZcbSi6MfY4Ls2 (My account is too new to post links)

Wilbur will speak in Blue

Spoiler: Background

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Wilbur Tumblefoot is a young halfling hailing from the humble town of Oatwich. Growing up in a close-knit community, Wilbur always dreamed of becoming a renowned adventurer. Despite his small stature and seemingly unimpressive physical attributes, he possessed an unwavering determination and a heart filled with bravery.

Wilbur's family has a long history of farmers and bakers, but he felt a calling beyond the fields and ovens. He yearned for the thrill of danger, the chance to test his mettle, and to protect his loved ones from the threats that plagued their homeland. His family, though concerned for his safety, supported his aspirations, recognizing his fierce spirit and his desire to make a difference.

As a child, Wilbur eagerly listened to tales of heroic adventures recounted by travelers passing through Oatwich. Inspired by their stories, he spent countless hours practicing with wooden swords, honing his combat skills, and mimicking the great warriors he admired. Despite his lack of physical strength and a few clumsier mishaps along the way, Wilbur's dedication to training slowly but steadily improved his swordplay.

With his youthful energy and a touch of naivety, Wilbur sets off on his first true adventure. He sees himself as the embodiment of Oatwich's spirit, carrying the hopes and dreams of his hometown. Wilbur seeks to prove that even a small halfling can overcome challenges and emerge as a hero in the eyes of his fellow townsfolk.

Now, armed with his trusty sword, a heart full of courage, and a burning desire to protect his community, Wilbur Tumblefoot takes his first steps toward fulfilling his destiny as an adventurer in the Duchy of Hammershire.

[AdamSpeg]

Spoiler

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Hilmslant, Human Magic-User
Level 1, 0/2,500XP

STR: 9 (+0)
INT: 17 (+2)
WIS: 14 (+1)
DEX: 6 (-1)
CON: 9 (+0)
CHA: 8 (-1)

HP: 2/2
AC: 10
ATTACK BONUS: +1

INVENTORY (7lbs)
-60gp
-Spellbook, 1lb
-Backpack
-Belt Pouch
-Scroll Case, 1/2lb
-Winter Blanket, 3lb
-Waterskin, 2lb
-Ink (Jar), 1/2lb
-Paper (x5)
-Quill
-Clothing, Common Outfit, Worn
-Cloak, Worn
-Dagger, 1lb

SPELLS
-Read Magic
-*GM DISCRETION*

LANGUAGES
-Common
-*GM DISCRETION*
-*GM DISCRETION*

Hilmslant is an unimpressive magician looking for work in the countryside, away from his more competent contemporaries. Hidden from the centers of common magical practice, he hopes to find yokels impressed by a flash of light and a dropped casual comment on potion constitution.

Hilmslant will speak in Dark Green

Also, DM, do I have full freedom in filling my spellbook or would you like to select my other starting spell? I'd also like some insight into languages too.

[Infernally Clay]

I present... Uther Utherson.

Spoiler

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Dwarven Cleric
Level 1 [0xp]

Hit Points: 6/6
Armour Class: 16
Attack Bonus: +1

STR: 10 [+0]
INT: 8 [-1]
WIS: 16 [+2]
DEX: 10 [+0]
CON: 11 [+0]
CHA: 12 [+0]

Saving Throws:
Death Ray +4
Poison +4
Paralysis +4
Petrify +4
Magic Wands +4
Spells +4
Dragon Breath +3
Illusions -1
Charm +2

Equipment:
Mace (1d8 blunt damage) [6gp]
Chainmail (15 AC) [60gp]
Shield (+1 AC) [7gp]
Cloak [2gp]
Belt Pouch [1gp]
Chalk [2gp]

Money: 2gp

Description:

Spoiler

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Uther, son of Uther, is a dwarf over three hundred years old who followed in his father's footsteps and serves the church in Oatwich. He has rich red hair and a beard that almost reaches the floor. There are specks of grey in his beard but he is as youthful and energetic as a dwarf half his age.

Well-known and well-liked by the people of the town, Uther isn't the brightest of the bunch but he is affable and even wise when the situation calls for it. There is an earnestness to him, an honesty that smarter folks might lack. This has helped him become something of a confidant for the people of the town, who know they can speak to him openly about anything and he will listen.

The children of the town play a game with Uther, where they will invent the most outlandish lie and see which one he believes. Uther is infamously gullible and will often believe anything and this game has been played by several generations of townsfolk. It's not done out of meanness, however, and Uther is just happy that he has created a tradition within the town. What is a person, after all, but the legacy they leave behind?

This belief is partly why Uther has decided to become more proactive in defending the town. Dangers have worsened in recent years and he loves the town too much, it has been part of his life too long, to let it fall to monsters or bandits.

[WindStruck]

Well I would claim a dark, ruddy brown.

HP: (1d6)[6]

Spoiler: stats

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Gabbra Siltshaft, Dwarf Peasant
Level 1, 0/2,500XP

STR: 14 (+1)
INT: 8 (-1)
WIS: 12 (+0)
DEX: 13 (+1)
CON: 14 (+1)
CHA: 11 (+0)

HP: 7/7
AC: 12
Attack Bonus: +1

Saving Throws:
Deathray or Poison: 9
Magic Wands: 10
Paralysis or Petrify: 11
Dragon Breath: 13
Spells: 14

Equipment:
Shovel
Sling
10 GP

Spoiler: Background

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Like many dwarves, Gabbra is stubborn and engrossed in her work. Except even by their standards, she might be considered a workaholic. She digs and digs, digging ditches, canals, and homes for hobbit folk, and also digging herself into a rut. Always pushing herself to the limit, Gabbra will not stop until the job is done. She neglects herself and is known to sleep out on the job site, amid dirt and mud.

When the job is dutifully finished, she collects her pay, then descends upon the taverns to ravenously fill her empty belly and wash it down with a nice ale. And then before long, she's run out of money, so back out to work she goes. A vicious cycle that could be avoided, if only she had the providence to take better care of herself and maintain a personal home.

Gabbra may blend into a crowd of rabble at first glance, though her dirty and disheveled appearance is beneath most townsfolk and becomes immediately apparent. Always barefoot, always covered in mud and grime, she wears tattered rags and has probably never bothered to bathe in recent memory. Though at least she smells strongly of dirt and loam, more than anything else foul and rotten.

Gabbra is not the most outgoing, though she is by no means miserly and dour. She's always willing to lend a friendly hand or buy a fellow a drink, should they prove to be decent folk. Slow to anger, any nitwits who continually provoke her or persistently make themselves an ass may face the wrath of Jacob (her shovel). She cares not for the politics of their village, for the old duke was useless and the new one just doesn't seem to care, but what she will not stand for are filthy goblins and oversized birds threatening their town and ruining their crops!

Spoiler: Picture

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[cqd]

Dwarf Peasant

Is this a custom class?

[WindStruck]

Is this a custom class?

I imagine sort of like a fighter, but worse. Or not actually having a class. Hope that's okay. I just wanted to play as an irate, inebriated villager.

[RossN]

Kendra a human Thief will speak in Indigo

Gold: (3d6)[12]
Hit Points: (1d4)[2]

Spoiler: Picture

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Spoiler: Character Sheet

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Kendra, Human Thief
Level 1, 0/1,250XP

STR: 12 (+0)
INT: 9 (+0)
WIS: 10 (+0)
DEX: 17 (+2)
CON: 12 (+0)
CHA: 7 (-1)

HP: -/-
AC:
Attack Bonus: +1

Saving Throws:
Deathray or Poison: 13
Magic Wands: 14
Paralysis or Petrify: 13
Dragon Breath: 16
Spells: 15

Equipment:

Spoiler: Backstory

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A city girl born and bred Kendra is a skilled pickpocket who found her presence in the capital unwelcome after getting on the bad side of the local thieves guild. She fled for the safety of the country and has found it. Unfortunately for Kendra she is unable or unwilling to keep her low opinion of the rural bumpkins to herself and her tactless tongue is not making her popular. The life of an adventurer promises some relief from the boredom and maybe even enough gold to buy her way back into the underworld's good graces...

[cqd]

Are we good to go, GM?

[AdamSpeg]

Are we good to go, GM?

Trident is running another play-by-post game rn as well, might be pretty busy.

[cqd]

Trident is running another play-by-post game rn as well, might be pretty busy.

That's understandable. I'll keep hovering in anticipation.