Nephilim Wars [5E Post Apocacalyptic Campain] (Homebrew)

[Skillkoil]

**Campaign is currently FULL, Feel free to post if you would like to be on the waiting list!

Nephilim Wars

FG License: GM has Ultimate players only need Demo
Game System: 5E Ruleset in Post Apocalyptic Setting
Time Zone: Eastern Time USA
Day of week and time: Mondays starting at 6 pm
Planned start date: 8/20/2018
Planned Duration & Frequency: Weekly, 3-4 Hour Sessions, Long Term Homebrew Campaign / Have content up to and past Level 20
Attribute Acquisition: You are free to roll 4d6 and drop the lowest (reroll 1's) or use a 27 Point buy system.
Text or Voice: Voice Only
Voice software used: Discord

Roleplay & Combat mix: 60/40 Roleplay/Combat
Number of Players needed: **Full Accepting Back Ups**
Character starting level & equipment: Level 3 with standard equipment
Character restrictions: Most races are allowed but all have been edited to conform with the campaign theme


The Story: The year is 2120 and the world has been bombarded with meteor strikes. One of the meteors brought a plague that killed 95% of the remaining population. God and Satan have disappeared from the pantheon. Now the Angel's & Demons are fighting for rule over the remaining mortals. Each of you, even though you may be from different races have always known you are special. Either you are filled with celestial blood (Nephilim) or that of a Greater Demon (Demon Spawned). The last thing any of you remember is looking up into the sky and seeing what looked like a blue comet and now you are waking up in a pitch black room, cold damp stones under you, the faint smell of plant decay and iron lingers in the stale air. A voice booms in the darkness. "Half-Bloods I have only one question for you. Will you use your special abilities to save this world or take the opportunity to dominate it?"

Hey everyone! I have been working on this campaign for quite a while! It is D&D 5E on a post apocalyptic earth with all the cool races and classes you know and enjoy with a futuristic twist and a supernatural bend! Our main objective is to have fun! You can and will earn XP from more than just combat. If you avoid combat with a genius idea I may give you more XP than the encounter is worth. If you have a great RP moment or truly stick to your character's bond, flaw etc.. I will reward you accordingly. Just to make sure we are on the same page I would like to explain a few things I expect from my players.

1. I encourage out of the box thinking, if you have a cool idea that might not be exactly within the rules I may bend the rule for that encounter to allow for creativity

2. If you are going to be absent or late I have channels on our Discord server that you MUST post on as far in advance as possible. We will be a group of people spending quite a few hours with each other every week and I think everyone deserves the respect to know if you can't make it or might be late. If you miss more than one session without posting in advance you are subject to being removed from the game at my discretion.

3. The RAW (Rules as Written) are not the be all end all point of playing the game. I will stick to the rules for the most part but I have the final say on the rules for my game. If for any reason you have an issue with something happening you can bring it up with me immediately and we will decide either to discuss it right then or wait til after the sesssion. I will also provide an anonymous feedback area for all players so you can give suggestions or critique anything you want about the campaign. (Thanks Aedus)

4. I expect you to respect the other players. You can interrupt me all you like if you have questions or want to say something but do not interrupt another player while they are speaking.

5. Last but not least... We are all here to have fun, if fun for you is making the strongest character possible, creating a wacky flavorful character, Roleplaying with a funny voice, etc.. etc.. That is what I want you to do! I will support you in any way I can.

Finally if you are interested in playing in my campaign please post and include what you are looking for in a game. What parts of roleplaying do you enjoy the most?

Happy Gaming!!

[Aster]

I am very interested. I value the problem solving and roleplaying aspect of my games. I like to develop characters with quirks and internal struggles. I always make the choices that my character would make rather then the best decision possilble. I think it would be interesting to play a dark or grey hero type. (think punisher or wolverine). Have an honorable code but know that sometimes you need to sacrifice the few for the greater good type of personality. I am interested in playing an elf paladin.

[Skillkoil]

Thanks for the reply Aster. I love your character idea. Send me a message on fantasy grounds and I will get you an invite link to our discord when I get home.

[AlexWynters]

I am very interested in your Campaign. I like the idea of having a mentally stimulating adventure with combat thrown in at the right times to make it more engaging. The characters I play all tend to have extensive background and plenty of quirks and flaws to play around with. I try and avoid one dimensional characters if at all possible. My Idea for a character is a Tiefling-Variant Ranger, with some 'deformities', a very troubled past, a hatred of "Demons". I will PM you his Background, and you can tell me what you think.

My wife may be interesting in playing in this Campaign as well.

[Skillkoil]

Sounds good, just message me if your wife wants to join as well. I have sent you the discord link it is good for one day.

[RavenSaint]

I'm Alex's wife. He told me about your game. I would still need to make a character, but it is interesting as a world to explore in. I think I would like to play a rogue, I just have to figure out a race to have it be. As soon as I have the character fleshed out, we can make the changes to fit it into the world.

(Sounds sort of like a post apocalyptic Shadowrun.)

[Skillkoil]

We have room for one more player. Please read OP and reply if you would like to join our campaign!

[arkwryte]

Hello there! I would be interested in playing, and I'm available almost all day monday.

[Skillkoil]

We had on player drop due to scheduling conflict have room for one. See top of post and reply.

[CJNewYork11]

I’d love to throw my name on the stand-by list, too. Please let me know if anything opens up. Happy adventuring!

[Skillkoil]

I have you down. Thanks for the interest will be messaging you if a spot opens up.

[Skillkoil]

ATTENTION- We have one spot open and are looking for someone to fill it ASAP. First come first serve. I have the server up and can help you make your character for Monday's session all day Saturday. Message me or reply to this thread and we will get you on Discord. Thanks!!

[Raven Darkstone]

Hey there, have you filled up your group? I ran an alternity game once before I loved all the possibilities that could come from a setting like that. I enjoy character interaction, as well as trying to work things out when possible, if that is not an option, I like to play the sneaky recon guy to exploit what ever weaknesses can be found in an enemy and destroy them. The idea of a small spec ops group really sounds cool :-)

[Skillkoil]

Hey there, have you filled up your group? I ran an alternity game once before I loved all the possibilities that could come from a setting like that. I enjoy character interaction, as well as trying to work things out when possible, if that is not an option, I like to play the sneaky recon guy to exploit what ever weaknesses can be found in an enemy and destroy them. The idea of a small spec ops group really sounds cool :-)

I sent you a private message. Please follow the directions contained within. :) Thanks!

[Skillkoil]

Session #1 (The Awakening) - A group of Six strangers awaken in a damp cold room. They are each laying on stone slabs that make up a circle in the middle. As they awaken and shake off the fog in their minds and the stiffness in their muscles they notice each other. Many of them draw weapons and back away, eyeing the others for some clue as to why they are there or what their intentions are. As this stand-off occurs, a door at the far end of the room opens and an older human man, in green robes, walks into the middle of the group. He identifies himself as Balial the infamous prophet who predicted The Calamity as an apocalyptic event. Balial in a soft but powerful voice explains that these 6 people were taken from the world and kept safe deep underground in a bunker because of their special bloodlines. He also tells them that The Calamity occured 5 years prior and Earth is in dire trouble. The Angels & Demons are at war for control of reality and they are one group of several that must try to stop the balance from being torn asunder. They ask questions and receive some guidance and are then allowed to leave and make their own choices. The group, though still not trusting, work together over the next few hours to escape the bunker. Facing off against groups of infiltrators, traps, magic puzzles and even a group of fiends.

They finally escape through a cramped tunnel and sealed hatch, reaching the surface in a wooded area outside of New Yor City.
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They enjoy the fresh air and comiserate over some delicious blade beak, starting to slowly get to know one another. The night's ordeal and the unnatural sleep finally catches up with them as their adrenaline fades and they decide to take turns on watch and get some sleep. A few of them are troubled by visions in their dreams but overall they get a good night's sleep. Near the end of their rest the Tabaxi hears something coming in the distance and she and the orc wake the others so they can prepare themselves. They set up an ambush as two mechanized wolves enter their area. A quick but furious battle ensues as two more of these machines try to surprise them from another direction. However, the group, though still newly formed, pull together and quickly tear the machines down. Why were they patrolling? Who, if anyone, controls them? What on earth do they do now? They are faced with so many questions and very few answers...

[krs4890]

Damn...missed the opening. If you have any spots open up, let me know. I'm new to D&D but your campaign sounds amazing.

[Skillkoil]

Damn...missed the opening. If you have any spots open up, let me know. I'm new to D&D but your campaign sounds amazing.

I will contact you if we have an opening. Thanks for the interest!

[Skillkoil]

Greetings from the Apocalypse. Real Life has claimed our first adventurer and we may need another. I am reopening recruitment. Please read OP and reply or message me if you are serious about a long term game!

[Skillkoil]

Session #2 (The Road to New York)

Our intrepid group of adventurers are gathering their thoughts after the battle with the mech wolves and they notice their small wizard companion is nowhere to be seen. The ranger quickly searches the area for tracks and sees they end abruptly. They find a pack with some of his items and continue searching to find a peice of his robe 20' up in the tree. How did he disappear? The group decides moving on to the city is their best option and they start traveling. The paladin and cleric feel this strange barrier blocking them from complete access to their divine power. It is an unsettling feeling that they don't quite understand. A half-hour into their travels Grath gets a very bad feeling. Something is coming. Xanderiel and Ziggy bound into a grove of trees and prepare themselves as Mandrake and Orak join the death priest and prepare for battle. From behind them, far overhead, humanoid forms with large silvery white wings are flying through the sky at great speed. They do not seem to notice the group below and quickly pass over heading the same direction as our heroes.

Crack, Snap the crunch of leaves and the breaking of twigs belies the position of another person. A human man with a large bladed polearm steps forward and introduces himself as Godfrey. There is a quick interrogation of the stranger, who has a similar story to the group, before they decide to allow him to accompany them as far as the city. Godfrey informs the group that his previous travel companions were taken by Angels a few days before and he barely escaped himself. The group finally reaches a modicum of civilization when they arrive at a highway with a long steal bridge in sight to the northeast. They cautiously travel from abandoned vehicle to abandoned vehicle until they reach the bridge at around 3pm. There is a street sign that says: Bayonne Bridge to Staten Island. They decide that crossing such an open area in the daylight, especially with Angel patrols around, is probably a bad idea. They retreat a few thousand feet to the woodline and wait it out til dark. During this time Ziggy creates some earrings and Xan modifies his sword to be more balanced for his fighting style.

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As night finally arrives the group set off like a highly trained squad of spec ops and traverse the bridge without raising any alarms. They are wary that there are no roving gangs or guards at the entry to the city. The rogue and ranger scramble up a couple buildings to get a better view of this part of the city (Staten Island). The group hears a woman screaming a few blocks to the north and Orak immediately pulls his blades and heads in the direction of the scream. The group follows, Xan keeping to the rooftops to give overwatch. Orak rounds the corner to see 6 men standing over a body. The men look to him, their dirty faces with an H tatooed on their forehead, shout obscenities and begin to attack. The group recognize these degenerates as probably members of The Human Collective. A Xenophobic organization that wants all non-humans dead. A long and bloody battle ensues leaving Grath and Orak unconscious and all but one of the thugs dead. Who ran away in the confusion of the fight. After the group rouse their comrades they inspect the dead thugs and the body of what appears to be a half-elven woman. The only possession on her maliciously ravaged body is a locket with a picture of her and a young elven girl with blonde hair and two different color eyes. Grath collects the heads of the cowards who killed this woman and ties them up into a bandolier around his chest.

During the battle the group heard loud gunfire and saw one of their attackers on a nearby roof get their head turned into a cloud of pink mist. As they caught their breath they could hear a voice in that same direction joyishly ridiculing the collective thugs who had died or run away. Xanderiel sees the glint of light off something glass on the 6th floor of a building to the northeast. The group decides to investigate this strange development. On their way to the building the sky turns pitch black and the light of the moon disappears as the group is surrounded by lightning. A very large Angellic Humanoid lands before them and speaks to them in their minds. He garners some information about Balial from them and then looks to Xanderiel. It is as if he sees something in him, nobody else can see. With a clench of his fist the Angel's eyes explode in radiant fire and Xan is dropped to the ground in agonizing pain. Unaware to the group the demon from his childhood is tormenting him in his mind. Xan unable to fight back against Azrial, a Prince of Hell, loses control and his body transforms. His wings grow much larger his muscles expand and his horns become straight and pointed. The demon form of Xan takes to the sky and attacks who he calls Gabriel, the Arch Angel. A short combat follows and Gabriel smites Azrial's form inside Xanderiel but not before the newest member of the group fires a few hapless spells at the demonic form thinking he is doing the right thing. Gabriel then slows time, marking each of the adventurers with an invisible magic sigil on their arms. He then admonishes them and takes off into the sky disappearing. Xan is taken back by the fact that this newcomer would be so flagrant in his attacks and threatens him. Godfrey in kind speaks heated words and a short fight ensues. Tensions are raw after such an emotional and froughtful day.

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After anger cools and emotions calm they decide to continue their investigation of this glint of light nearby. After searching through 5 floors of an abandoned bank and gaining some loot from some lockboxes that hadn't been vandalized yet, Xan leads the group to the 6th floor where he sees the strangest thing. An oak tree growing from the floor. As they move closer a 4' tall Satyr named Eldwid emerges and with some kind words and libations makes fast friends with our group of adventurers. They decide to spend the night with Eldwid and relieve some of the stress from their first day in New York City. As they close their eyes, thoughts enter their minds. What will tomorrow hold? Can we even survive as a group? What to do next?... Minds race as sleep takes them one by one....The War has just Begun!

[Zantatsu]

This Campaign sounds really interesting on how its a post apocalyptic New York many people like scenarios like this and I do too and the whole angels and demons thing going on puts a nice aspect to the world it is in as well as the modern tech view combining with these things putting your players through multiple tests and them having to come up with things on the spot is also good.

[Selfcontrol]

Im playing Grath, the death priest in this campaign. I would like to say that is an excellent recap of the session. Im having a blast in this campaign so far!

The fact that we get to screw around with modern tech in a DND session is pretty cool, and im already in love with the setting, making plans for the future. Im still wildly curious about what the Angels marked us and told us to stay in the city for. Now I want to explore the outside of the city and the rest of the American continent.

The combat was enticing and quite challenging as both me and the orc went down.

Absolutely looking forward to the session on monday again!

[Arkan]

I don't know if you are still looking for a player, I have the ability to be a consistent and am interested. Although I would point out that I am new to both the system and Fantasy grounds. I have plenty of RPG experience and I am a quick learner. So if you need someone, I am available.

[Skillkoil]

Welcome to the forums Arkan. I will keep you in mind if a spot opens up! Thanks for your interest.

[Skillkoil]

Session 3 (Bazaar Haunted Run) The party takes turn at their watches as Grath and Ziggy sleep they are tormented by visions of their past. Grath by his teacher and some strange ritual, Ziggy by the item she must recover. Godfrey strikes up a conversation with the goliath about the past during their watch and they both learn more about each other than they knew the day before. Ziggy looks out towards Manhattan and notices with her keen eyes that the destruction they have seen entering the city, doesn't seem to be as widespread further north. How strange? As morning comes the group decide to head off towards The Bazaar that Eldwid told them about. They think they might be able to find some useful items there. They encounter a flirtatious deep gnome named Etta Kandy and do quite a bit of shopping. Even spilling some secrets to get a better deal. The goliath hocks everything he has and promises something he may not be able to deliver, for a set of power armor.

They then find the girl they saw in the picture in the locket on the dead woman from the night before. They learn her name is Elyanna and she is very sick. Xan tries to find a way to heal her with an elixir or potion but just doesn't have the money to buy one. (His companion Grath had just sold two elixers that could have cured her.) So, the paladin releases some of his magic into the young girl to heal her from Sewer Plague. They inform her of her mother and try to console her best they can. She tells them the only family she has left is her Uncle Augustus but he lives on the other side of the "Haunted Run". A four block area covered in all sorts of undead. The group steel their nerves and decide to escort this child to safety before continuing on to find the Dao Initiative's stronghold in Manhattan.

They finally reach this place of death that is covered in an unnatural mist and smells of sulphur and decay. They try to move quietly but the power armor is too loud and the orc is too clumsy. They are ambushed by a group of skeletons, ghasts and a specter. They keep Elyanna away from the ghoulish undead as they sytematically cut them down. However, Ziggy makes a serious and potential fatal mistake. She fires her pistol in the heat of battle and it echoes across the streets, reverberating off buildings. They duck inside an abandoned firehouse to catch their breath and hopefully hide out from the hordes of undead around them. Can they save this child and get her home? Will they ever learn why Gabriel marked them all? More questions than answers....

[Nedelkan]

Hello, I found this post and was wondering if you currently had any openings in your game still? The scheduling is just about perfect for me and i love making interesting characters and seeing how they grow when interacting with the world and other players and I enjoy attempting to approach combat in manners slightly different from common methods. If you have an opening still please let me know and i can send you my character concept.

[Skillkoil]

Nedelkan we currently have 6 players. If someone drops I will keep you in mind for a replacement. Thank you for the interest in our little game!

[Thozi]

game sounds interesting and has drawn allot of interest. If you ever decide to run it again or need another player ill be around :)

[Skillkoil]

game sounds interesting and has drawn allot of interest. If you ever decide to run it again or need another player ill be around :)

Thanks for the interest Thozi. I will be releasing this campaign as an adventure module once I'm finished playtesting it. I may even start a second game. Still considering if I can afford that much time between the two campaigns I'm already running. If I do I will let you know!

[Arkan]

Thanks. I appreciate that.

[Skillkoil]

Thanks. I appreciate that.

Sometimes I wish I could clone myself so I could more done during the week. If I were to do a second campaign it would have to be on Wednesday evenings around 6pm EST/EDT. Would any of you be interested in that time slot?

[Nedelkan]

Unfortunately my Wednesday evenings are already taken up.

[Arkan]

While the slot would be fine for me. Honestly you sound pushed enough. I wouldn't want to put you in a position where you feel to much pressure. It should be an enjoyable event fore everyone after all.

[Skillkoil]

While the slot would be fine for me. Honestly you sound pushed enough. I wouldn't want to put you in a position where you feel to much pressure. It should be an enjoyable event fore everyone after all.

I appreciate the concern but I LOVE to run games for players, especially those who really want a high drama, adult game with high stakes.

[Skillkoil]

Session 4: (Tables Turned) Elyanna is crying as she crouches down beside Xanderiel. The moans and other guttaral noises from the undead outside are drawing closer. The group takes a minute to catch their breath from the previous fight. Then, Xan springs into action. He puts the child on his back and scoots up the fire pole and then goes through a hatch to the roof. He scans the area and sees shadows blinking in and out of existence. His keen ears picking up the shuffling of undead feet beyond the building to the west and something large moving up from the southwest. If they stay too long they will be surrounded. He radios the group and they decide they must move now or risk being overwhelmed. As they charge out zombies come barreling around corners and shadows emerge from the bushes on the sidewalk. A brief but perilous battle ensues where gasoline is flung and Ziggy is almost killed. Even as they think they slay zombies, the magic that drives them keeps them up far longer than should be possible.

They finally clear the undead that are impeding their escape and make a break for it. As they are running Elyanna points south and they see 3 extremely large Minotaur Skeletons about 3 blocks away, carrying Axes the size of cars. Grath and Ziggy spot a peculiar metal container on the roof of a building near the exit of their troubles. In a flash of radiant light spectral silvery white wings burst from Grath's back and he soars into the air. Even in his heavy power armor the magic of his Nephilim blood propels him with ease. Ziggy follows quickly behind, using her claws to scale the building as they both head towards this strange box. Before the rogue can stop him the death priest places his hand on a palm plate and after a needle extracts some blood from his hand the container opens. It is full of gold, platinum and some mysterious objects. He quickly loads his pack and they join the rest of the group outside the mist.

The child quickly leads them to her Uncle Augustus' House and runs up and knocks on the door. They are met by an older elven man dressed casually. He is surprised by seeing his neice and the group on his doorstep. They inform him of Elyanna's mother's demise and can see the gloom and despair in his countenance. He invites them in and treats them to food, information and what little treasure he has in thanks for what they did for his neice. The group enjoy the company of Augustus and Elyanna and decide to spend the night in their home. That evening Grath works on his armor outside, trying to find a way to disable the remote detonation mechanism. The going is slow. They sleep peacefully and wake to a delicious breakfast. They part ways with an emotional goodbye. Ziggy giving the child one of the necklaces she made. Even the stoic Xan seems to be glad they got the girl to safety. Augustus gives them directions to The Narrow's Bridge that leads to Brooklyn.

The group head into an alley that is a shortcut to the street they need to take and they are ambushed by what they later find out are enforcers from The Hand of Umbra. Godfrey recognizes them and tries to settle the confrontation with words. Unfortunately, his temper gets the better of him and the battle ends in 6 dead enemies. They search the bodies and find a bloody note that makes their hair stand on in. "We have received a signal from A. The seedlings are spending the night in his home. When they leave they will be instructed to take the alley. Set up an ambush there. Take them ALIVE. V has big plans for them and doesn't want them spoiled. You know where to take them once they are subdued. "
May The Hand Guide You.
XVI

They realise that Augustus set them up and they head back to confront him and make sure Elyanna is safe. They return to an empty house but Ziggy discovers a small tablet like device hidden in the girl's room. It has one message on it. "Thanks for the information on your friends. V will be very happy!"....

[Arkan]

Then by all means keep me in mind if you choose to run another game. Thanks.

[Skillkoil]

Then by all means keep me in mind if you choose to run another game. Thanks.

Will do Arkan!

[Skillkoil]

There won't be a summary of this weeks game. Had to cancel due to the hurricane. But we will return to the WAR first thing next week!