[LFP] Lost Mine of Phandelver (AUS/Thurs 8pm/wkly) Timezone AEST or GMT/UTC+10:00

[meverz]

FG License: DM has standard, so players need standard
Game System: DnD 5E

Time Zone: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) witch is GMT/UTC + 10 (Although do see note below)
Day of week and time: Thursday Night 8pm - 10:30 +
Planned start date: Session 0 Character and Party Building 29th September 2016 (hopefully)
Planned Frequency: Weekly
Term: At least until the end of LMoP. After that, hopefully continue into a long term campaign.

Text or Voice: Voice (+ text)
Voice software used: Teamspeak

Roleplay & Combat mix: Probably around 40/60,
Number of Players needed: 4-5
Character starting level & equipment: 1st Level with equipment as per background.

Character build restrictions: All PHB - anything else ask first. I tend to be pretty permissive in what I allow, so it doesn't hurt to ask.

Game Calendar https://www.fantasygrounds.com/calendar/index.xcp?id=2194

Details of your scenario:
My preference is to run a Heroic Fantasy campaign. So please make characters that fit with this sort of game. It is up to the players to build characters that get along and work well together, and have reasons to adventure together. I have ZERO tolerance for any PvP. Inter-party tension is nice, inter-party conflict will see you booted.

My general approach is to mostly rule in favour of the PCs. If you come up with a cool idea, I will work with you to make it work (whether it is character concept, creative use of terrain in combat, imaginative approaches to encounters etc). If you can give me a good in game reason why it would work, I'll probably say yes (on the most part). I want my players to have fun.

I also absolutely DESPISE long, drawn out combats. When your turn comes around, I expect you to have decided on your course of actions, and be ready to roll the dice. If it takes you too long to decide, then you will take the dodge action that round. Of course, there is a bit of leeway for new players just learning the ropes, and for responding to any major changes to the encounter (reinforcements arrive, game changing spells get cast, an ally drops and is bleeding out etc). Basically, I expect you to know what your character is capable of, and how those mechanics work. Having said that, I am very open to new players (with zero experience of DnD) joining, and I'll work with you to figure things out.

My strength as a DM is definitely in combat / mechanics as opposed to the roleplaying side. As such, I tend to stick to published adventures / campaigns (with various degrees of modification), rather than flat out home brew, although hopefully with the space for interesting side treks when they arise.

I have some experience DMing both 3.5 and 4th edition, and am looking forward to giving 5th Edition a go. This will be both my first time DMing 5th edition and DMing on Fantasy grounds. As such I expect to probably make a few mistakes, and learn as we go. All I ask is your patience as I learn the ropes.

Make a character you want to play. Although it is good to make a “balanced” party, it is more important that you all have fun playing your characters. I will try to make sure the campaign “works” no matter what classes you choose to play.

House Rules
Thankfully 5th Edition is pretty well balanced (on the whole) so I don't so much have "House Rules" as variant options. The biggest issues as far as balance that I can see are with Two-weapon Fighting, Frenzy Barbarians, Sorcerer spells known and Warlock Daily Invocations. If you want to play any of these options, let me know and we can work something out to bring them up to par.

Rests will also work a little different. A Short rest will be 10 minutes for the first, then each rest past the first will take an additional 10 minutes (so 20mins for the 2nd, 30 for the 3rd). A Long rest will require 24 hours of "downtime" (eg back in town, a well dug in and defended position on the road, even stopping in tavern for a couple of nights will count).

I'm also willing to at least consider the options from Unearthed Arcana (including the "new" Ranger). If your interested, again let me know, and we'll see what we can work out. Although bear in mind, most of it won't be programmed into Fantasy Grounds, so you'll have to work it out yourself.

If you're interested in playing a Cleric or Druid, if you don't take the sacred flame (cleric), poison spray or produce flame (druid) cantrips, you instead gain extra attack at level 7.

If you write up at least a 500 word backstory, you can start at level 1 with a bonus feat, as long as there is some indication in your backstory, regarding where and how you learnt it. To that end, variant humans are limited to selecting "non combat" feats (eg Actor), or Resilient at level 1 as their bonus human feat, (plus of course the bonus feat from background).

Feel free to modify / make up backgrounds so that they better fit the character you are going for.

Daylight Saving Time Down here in Australia, daylight savings starts in a couple of months. When it does, we will be continuing to play at 8pm local time (ie Australian Eastern Daylight Time). If you are joining from a different timezone, please ensure you can also make the new time (starts sometime in October).

Please post your character applications below. You don't need a fully worked out backstory yet, but at least Class and race, and 1 - 2 lines to give us some idea.

[iriego]

Hello i apply on the calendar for a space, i agree to all you said in the upper text.

I am new in fantasy grounds and willing to play on this campaign. I do have some experience on D&D I and II edition, and started a campaign of 5e, getting familiar with the rule set that actually it seems pretty nice and easy going.

I'm from Chile (GTM -3) and i will be playing very early in the morning to catch up to the schedule.

I have to characters developed so far, one is a wood elf wizard and the other a wood elf ranger, it a little late now so i will send the character descriptions tomorrow and their background starting story.

hope i get to play in your campaign, i was waiting for this to happen.

[meverz]

Welcome aboard iriego. Feel free to play whichever character you like. Happy to have someone from over seas on board, hopefully it's not TOO early in the morning.

[iriego]

thanks! well early times means fresh mind so im ok with it :rv:

[meverz]

Still looking for 2 or 3 more players. Don't let the big wall of text put you off, if you are only new and looking for a game, join up, I can still remember what it was like to be new.

[Goregamer]

Hey,
Would love to join but Thurs night is a popular one, hence ppl may already be in games. To throw a spanner would you consider another night?

[Lillmunk]

Hey there!

I am a 23 year old from Sweden(+1 GMT) and I have sadly no former experience but I would love to join if you want a halfling rogue with a good background.
The time works fine for me and with a good background I mean it's 500+ words. I do have a barbarian if you would like me to play that instead.

Would love to join but as mentioned earlier I've never played 5e or fantasy grounds but I do have the standard lisence.

Cheers

[meverz]

Welcome aboard Lillmunk, always ready to welcome new players, we were all new at one stage.

The party is still forming, so either of your options will work. It basically comes down to which character you want to play. When you've decided (if you haven't already), post the write up in this thread, so we can start putting the party together.

Still looking for a couple more.

[meverz]

Hey,
Would love to join but Thurs night is a popular one, hence ppl may already be in games. To throw a spanner would you consider another night?
If we can't get a reasonable party together, I might have to move nights. So far looks like we have 2 confirmed, and 1 maybe, so I'm still hopeful we can get it up an running on Thursday.

[Bohrier]

may I join? 35 yo from brazil, new to 5e, would like to play a bard(ish) half-elf, a mix between Elan from Order of the stick and Bow from the she-ra cartoons. naive good-hearted sort of guy

[Lillmunk]

I like the backstory of the rogue more so if you don't mind I can play that :)

[meverz]

OK, so it looks like we have three PCs so far.

iriego playing a WoodElf Ranger (or wizard)
Lillmunk playing a Halfling Rogue
Bohrier playing a Half Elf Bard.

Likes like we should have a pretty stealthy (and squishy) party (so far). Looking forward to seeing your backstories.

Still looking for a couple more.

[warmonger22]

hi,

Game time works great for me and i would be most grateful for the opportunity to fill any slot needed for a balanced party. In particular, i would like to play a defensive fighter if possible.

I have a fair amount of experience with both FG and 5E but not much experience playing in a group. Happy to have a backstory ready :)

[iriego]

15437 this is how the wood elf wiz is coming so far

[iriego]

15438 that was his secret place this is the wiz.. :P

[iriego]

15439 this is a dragonborn sorc.. im thinking about too

[iriego]

you can see his got wings and a weird mirror shade

[meverz]

Game time works great for me and i would be most grateful for the opportunity to fill any slot needed for a balanced party. In particular, i would like to play a defensive fighter if possible.
That's great, fits right in with the rest of the party.

I have a fair amount of experience with both FG and 5E but not much experience playing in a group. Happy to have a backstory ready :)
Welcome aboard, can you please post your backstory when you get a chance.

Just to let all the players know, the game will start with the party escorting a wagon of supplies from the city Neverwinter down to the little town of Phandalin. In your backstory can you please include why / how the Dwarf Gundren has hired you (for 50gp) as escort for this wagon of goods.

iriego - have you made a final decision on what you want to go with? They all look like good options, my suggestion would be to just go with whatever you think you would have the most fun playing.

[Bohrier]

Backstory in the works, but I'm going for a bard archer build . I will start with one level of fighter , followed by bard levels from there on . I will do that so I can get the arChery specialisation from the fighter class . My Main Weapon will be a longbow harp, and a rapier. I'll be very charismatic and nimble, although quite naive and stupid. Lawful good

[meverz]

Backstory in the works, but I'm going for a bard archer build . I will start with one level of fighter , followed by bard levels from there on . I will do that so I can get the arChery specialisation from the fighter class . My Main Weapon will be a longbow harp, and a rapier. I'll be very charismatic and nimble, although quite naive and stupid. Lawful good
Sounds good. I look forward to seeing what you come up with

[warmonger22]

great, thanks. My dwarven fighter's backstory;

Brok Briarforge of clan Briarforge was born into a family of great smith's. Renowned amongst his kin for his skill in the art of axe making, it is said amongst his clan that his axes made the ancestors smile. He works hard to be the best he can be at his skill and makes his clan proud. He has a great commitment to hard work and fair play, although he does have a tendency to be quite rude to those that don't share this commitment. His bravery and prowess with axe in battle is widely spoken in Mithril Hall as he took part in the repulsion of many greenskin raids on his mountain home.

His home now safe from further raids and considering that his art would likely be needed elsewhere, one day Brok decided to head west from his home in Mithril Hall and found himself working as a blacksmith in Neverwinter making tools and weapons. He soon befriended the dwarf Gundren who was impressed with Brok's skill at making tools. Brok's stories of his fighting skill were also fascinating to Gundren who took faith in him to see his supplies safely to there destination.

[warmonger22]

Brok is a Lawful Neutral fighter with the protection fighting style and Guild Artisan background. A middle-aged dwarf hardened by harsh climates, wise, strong and tall among others of his kin with his long white beard and hair and gruff posture. He does not like to part with his money easily unless it was for his adopted and spoilt daughter Brianna. He will haggle tirelessly to get the best deal possible when shopping. The weapons that he carries he constructed himself, his battleaxe he has named silvergleam as it has a hint of mithril in the blade.

Years ago Brok adopted a human street urchin by the name of Brianna. He caught her trying to steal a coin purse from one of the merchants at his shop, the haughty merchant wanted her taken away but Brok had a soft spot for this young woman. So he offered to put Brianna to work at his shop and gave the merchant a hefty discount to compensate him. He didn't like the uppity merchant anyway, and Brianna had an innocent face that seemed to calm the grizzled dwarf.

As the months passed and Brok got ever better at his trade, Brianna grew into a strong and charismatic woman with an art for diplomacy. She was outstanding at dealing with the various merchants and adventurers that would come by her adopted father's business, and the both of them became exceedingly rich. But this also led to Brianna becoming spoilt, she got more and more demanding of Brok who always gave her what she wanted, he gave her everything that he had. Until eventually Brianna wanted more, more gold, more riches, more fame and fortune. Eventually it was decided that Brok would head out into the world in search of wealth to bring back for her, while Brianna would stay in Neverwinter and work the business with the help of a local human smith they had known for some time.

Brok had no intention of returning to that brat of a woman, her greed was too much for him to bare any longer, his journey out of Neverwinter would start with aiding his friend Gundren and his supply caravan. He did feel bad leaving his business, and he had kept barely any coin for himself, but the search for fame and fortune sounded good to him. He would one day return to his clan in the mountain halls a master artisan, his wealth would rival the kings themselves and his fame would be legendary.

i think that is 500+ words.. i would like the Shield Master feat for Brok if i can please..? i hope it will fit in nicely with the party :)

[Bohrier]

Haldren was the runt of the litter. Born into a family of 5 Brothers, he was always picked on by his elder brother Neil, always the Target of many pranks and the scapegoat for all the wrong his brother did. Being good-hearted and very naive, he believe from the bottom of his heart that doing his brother's bidding was his duty, since Family for him came before anything else. Neil was a very Wicked child, and very prone to wrong doing, and Haldren always took the blame somehow. But even then he loved his brother very much.

His father was a foot soldier at Baldur's Gate guard, killed in action by lizard-folk grunts during a raid on Baldur's Gate Market when he was 5. He was a very skilled musician in his free time, playing the harp like few people did, but his passion for music was only second to his passion for fighting. He would play the harp for his kids to sleep every night, telling epic stories of great warriors from the past, making little Haldren dream about Great Adventures and awesome Heroes.

His mother worked at the bookbinder's, and also was very fond of Epic stories she read while mending books. After his father died, it became very difficult for his mother to pay for everything by herself , so she asked Neil to help her , since he was the eldest. He started working at the Docks , soon to find that honest work didn't pay enough. He found some shady work here and there , and it didn't take long for him to enjoy doing this type of work. Everyday going deeper and deeper into their organization. It didn't take long for him to get a bad reputation , and it didn't take long for his mother to hear about it. When confronted by her , Neil burst into a rage and told her it was his life and he would do his bidding, and left for the door. When should try to stop him , he pushed her away , making her hit her head heart on a stone bench and die. He didn't notice his brothers the other room, watching in horror their mother bleeding from the head trauma. He burst out of the door , running away and never being seen again.

Little Haldren and his brothers were adopted by the bookbinder , and grew up without ever hearing from their brother again. Haldren , over the years , learn to play the harp to keep the memory of his father alive. He also joined the city guard to learn how to fight and defend himself and his loved ones, so they would never have to get through another tragedy like they have. In the guard, Haldren learned to be a very good Archer, being congratulated many times over the years , even got as a token of appreciation of his fellow guard members a bow harp so he could do both things he was good at anywhere. He never parted the gift , taking his archery skills and his music anywhere he went. He grew up to be the living image of his father.

Recently he heard rumor about his brother being seen in Neverwinter, attacking a convoy of supplies from a dwarf named Gundren. He resigned from the guard and said goodbye to his kin, setting out to bring Neil to justice.

Personality: Good-hearted, naive, somewhat stupid, loyal to the end. Very curious and easily impressed.
Appearance: 15447

I'd like the sharpshooter feat, if possible.

[meverz]

Sorry I haven't replied before now, I've been away all weekend. Before I forget, we are using 27 point buy for Ability Scores.

Warmonger22 - That looks good. I'm looking forward to seeing Brok in action (we might even see Brianna stop by at some stage). The Shield Master Feat is fine.

Boihrier - Likewise, looking forward to seeing Haldren in action. No problem with you taking the SharpShooter Feat.

So far we have 3 confirmed, with another probably. Still got room for another PC is anyone is interested.

[warmonger22]

Excellent! thank you, looking forward to it.

I haven't gone with anything outside the PHB (his items are still the normal kind of course) and i went with 15,15,13,10,10,8 for his ability scores.

Although, Brok does have a small key on him that opens a strongbox at the back of his shop in Neverwinter. It only contains worthless family heirlooms and trinkets but hopefully it will infuriate someone when she finds it and can't open it ;)

[Lillmunk]

Sorry but I don't wanna give away too much about Diniweds backstory. But he is a shady looking 2.7 feet halfling with a wicked smile. He's adventorous and happy but he feels a bit lost and does not know where he belongs. He is looking for information first and gold second, thats the reason why he joined in the protection of the caravan. He has purple eyes, fair skin and dark brown curly hair. If you wanna find out more you just gotta ask him :)

[iriego]

15479

Zidrix Maya is a Wood Elf Ranger Specialized in the arts of wars, he is 133 years Old and 5,7 feet tall, he dresses with a Fine leather armor green colored and carries a long bow, quiver for the arrows a backpack full of utilities and a belt with two shining short swords hanging from it at each side. His eyes are yellowish colored and his skin is of a green and brown mixture.

When he was young between the ages of 1 to 30 he receive the normal training of all wood elf's, writing, reading, poetry, singing, clothing, riding, hunting, archery, melee weapon use of knife and swords. Those were his happy days, he received his training along with his brother Iskander and his sister Helune, while they learned the basis the three of them always found a way to sneak from the rest and runt to their favorite place, it was a big rock on top of a hill that was so high that they could see above the forest of Mist and beyond. at their place they love to rest and bath on the near river, look at the sky and the surroundings but what they love most was to talk about their future together, how they were to become the most respected of their kind and how they would never leave each other and the Maya linage to become the most respected of all times.

One day everything went wrong, a weird Orc and Goblins all together invaded the forest of mist in the struggle of battle to reject the enemy Helune was brutally killed, Iskander an Zidrix also wear deadly wounded trying to save their sister, but manage to stay alive and survived. From that day forward everything changed, the brothers slowly separated from each other Iskander just went mad because of his sister death and start finding ways to become stronger and because he admired the arcane forces and thought that was the way of the supreme power, when in the wizard path.

Zidrix lost interest in training and run away into the most lone spot of the forest, he lived there alone for almost 10 years just hunting for food and cursing life for his misery. in this years he really build this huge hatred to Goblins and Orcs, and let himself get lost into the anger and revenge. Hi started hunting down Goblins and Orcs beyond the boundaries of mist forest, sneaky attacking any group camps and any locations were he could find (his now) natural enemies.

Once he was harassing for about 30 days a huge Orc camp, taking away their food, killing scouts, poisoning their waters slowly working his way to kill them all eventually a army of 500 humans came rushing in taking the whole camp down, impressed by this coordinated assault he introduce himself to the general that lead the army and offer his services in exchange for the chance to kill Orcs. He was accepted in the army and trained in their ways.

Zidrix was a important part of this army for his next 70 years, he was a scout of renamed skills, he fulfilled his thirst of vengeance and when the general died and a second one came and died as well he decided that it was time to move on and leave this life of thirst of vengeance. At this point he was very shook by his way of living and had developed a strong sadness that had come into his life to stay, knowing so he started to wonder around the world to find some kind of peace.

He when town to town selling his services to gain food and shelter for quiet some time, while so he meditated on his path and had some strong thoughts of life and developed some beliefs:
1. He had lost too many friends and family so he wasn't going to have more.
2. When people follow orders blindly, they ended embracing a kind of tyranny, so everything should be question and the path was the lonely one.
3. Any one that fights at your side is precious and brave so he was willing to die for any of them.
4. Any one that is not a proven warrior didn't deserve his respect

Finally hi returned to his loved forest and stayed there for few years alone and meditating. One day he decided to visit his brother to see if in that loved person he could find some balance and maybe regain the force that once the brotherhood gave him. Maybe he could be happy again!

Iskander as he was told had become an important wizard that had proven to be worthy of the community (not like him that had left all behind), but he had left a year ago for some kind of mission in Neverwinter. So Zidrix went to the city to find him, when he arrived to Neverwinter he started trying to find his brother and a tavern owner told him that he knew that his brother had traveled to Phandelver 5 month ago, but if he was interested he had a friend named Gundren that in the next day was departing to Neverwinter with his convoy and would gladly hire such a veteran for protection services along the way.

15480

[iriego]

sorry about the spelling and grammar mistake btw.
meverz i would need you to help me name the faction of the army Zidrix has served (if its possible).

[iriego]

i would like MobileEdit feat if possible.

[iriego]

Mr. Meverz don´t forget to send us the nick for the server

[meverz]

Mr. Meverz don´t forget to send us the nick for the server
Thanks. I'll send out all the info this afternoon once I have everything sorted.

[meverz]

Just pmed all the players with the details for tonights game, let me know if there are any issues

[Goregamer]

If your short a player pm me.

[Lillmunk]

Happy Holidays everyone!

[warmonger22]

Happy holidays!

[Lillmunk]

Who wants to do what after LMOP?

I have only played LMOP now so I don't mind playing a new character or Diniwed. What are your thoughts? I would love to hear them.

Cheers

[meverz]

Speaking to Goregamer, he would actually prefer to DM rather than play a PC, so once LMoP is finished (in probably 2, MAYBE 3 sessions), I'll be handing the reigns over to him, and what we do from then is ultimately up to him. I'll let him chime in with his thoughts / preferences.

For myself, I would prefer a new campaign starting at level 1. I just prefer to start new characters from level 1 rather than jumping in partway through. But I'm happy to do whatever the rest of the group want (even assuming everyone is keen to continue playing together).

[warmonger22]

Great campaign so far, thanks meverz. If Goregamer wants to run the next campaign i am more than happy to continue with the current group.

I would also prefer to start a new campaign with a new PC.

[Bohrier]

Great campaign so far, thanks meverz. If Goregamer wants to run the next campaign i am more than happy to continue with the current group.

I would also prefer to start a new campaign with a new PC.

I love the campaign, every session is just a load of fun...

I love how we are always one step from dying and somehow end up fine.

I will definitely certainly play another campaign, and I don't mind rerolling characters...

[Lillmunk]

I looked forward to every session and I enjoyed every one of them! Great campaign so far indeed.

I don't mind at all starting at lvl 1 with new characters. Can't wait to see what happens next!
:D

[Lillmunk]

Sorry if I sounded negative in the end, I might've gotten too into character. I was sort of feeling what Gray was feeling.

[warmonger22]

It is certainly a harsh environment, especially for a spell caster!

'Despair is commonplace in the slave pens of Tyr, stories of awful practices committed within the walls wag on the tongues of those who survived the experience or somehow managed to escape..'

Escape we must ;)

[Lillmunk]

Thank you for the encouraging words :)