Game of Thrones Inspired Sandbox Campaign - 5e D&D ruleset - Paid - Sat 3-7pm PST

[Sephiir]

Hello everyone!

FG License: Ultimate
Game System: D&D 5e / GoT rulebook

Time Zone: PST
Day of week and time: Saturdays @ 3 PM - 7 PM
If new game, planned start date: Undetermined
Planned Duration & Frequency: Weekly
Term: Long

Text or Voice: Voice
Voice software used: Discord
Will this be recorded and/or live streamed? No

Roleplay & Combat mix: 60/40
Number of Players in game & needed: 2 currently; 2 needed
Character starting level & equipment: Level 1 & "poor" equipment
Character restrictions: No/Limited Magic

Details of your scenario: See Below

I am starting up a Game of Thrones inspired campaign that will feature a Sandbox-style feel where the players will get quest hooks and plot lines but are not required to follow them (some will even conflict with each other directly, so taking one locks you out of the other; ex. below)

The party is travelling north along the coastal road and arrives in Crakehall. Near the city gate a small boy of ten wearing the sash of a Town Crier is yelling loudly and clearly "The Crakehalls of Crakehall, amongst the number of nobles Sworn to the Lion (House Lannister), are hiring mercenaries to enter into the forest east of Crakehall where the Crimson Blades are hiding out. Become a hero! Save Crakehall from these robbing, raping, and murdering bandits!" If the party is interested he explains that Erwin Crakehall, the youngest of the Crakehall family, is paying 1 silver stag per bandit's corpse, and if you are interested go to the square outside Crakehall manor where the other mercenaries are marshalling. Oh, and to let Steward Gillis know that Timothy sent you to him.

If pressed (with a successful Persuasion or Intimidation check) Timothy will explain that he doesn't really know anything about the Crimson Blades, he heard the name for the first time today, he knows some unhappy folk have moved out of Crakehall and are trying to establish a village in the forest though and the Crimson Blades are likely them.

If the party searches for information before going to the marshal grounds they can (with a successful Persuasion or Intimidation check) discover similar information but also that it seems this mission isn't being sanctioned by Lord Edward Crakehall, who is away at Lannisport on business, and that young Erwin is seeking to make a name for himself.

If the party tries to find relatives or friends of the "Crimson Blades" they will find common folk, salt of the earth, working day in and out for a pittance for the Crakehalls and the merchant lords. They won't talk to the party unless the party mentions that they want to help the "Crimson Blades" or roll a successful Intimidation check. Some of them admit that they wish they had left with the others and some of them claim that they were fools for thinking they could forge a new life for themselves. All of them are worried about the forty-seven men, women, and children who left though. They will offer food and lodging to anyone who says they will help the "Crimson Blades" free of charge and point them in the right direction.

If the party decides to go to the marshal grounds they will meet Steward Gillis, a stout and pudgy man who condescends the party for poor equipment and that he doubts they will claim many silver stags but is willing to let them sign on. He explains that six other mercenaries have signed on and that the ten of you will depart in the morning, with a Crakehall ranger as guide, and search out the bandits. Once found all the bandits are to be slain to a person, no prisoners are to be taken. An example is to be made of these brigands. If asked he admits that the silver stag applies to anyone killed regardless of age or gender. Six other ragtag mercenaries have gathered, it seems four of them are a group as they stand together while the other two stand alone. If engaged each of these mercenaries has a story and reason for being here.

In the above example the two quests are separate, if the party assists the Crakehalls in wiping out the "bandits" then they will be rewarded and lauded as heroes of the people by the wealthy and nobility while drawing the ire of the common folk who know the truth of the matter. If the party assists the "Crimson Blades" or warns and helps them relocate they can potentially, if caught, make Erwin Crakehall an enemy and merchant lords who know their reputation would upcharge on goods but the party won't receive any financial gain (unless they decide to fight the mercenaries sent by Erwin Crakehall and loot their corpses) but will gain the support of the local common folk and with their reputation will likely receive free lodging and food in the nearby regions. Also, common folk will feel comfortable coming to the party with requests. If the party chooses to ignore this plot hook entirely they will find out later the results of the mercenary attack and the fate of Erwin Crakehall's "crusade".

If you are unfamiliar with Game of Thrones it is a low-magic world where creatures and dragons exist but are rare and live on the fringes of society. There is some magic but it isn't fireballs and lightning bolts, instead it is fortunes being told and herbalism. We will be using these themes in this campaign. Primary spellcasters will simply not be allowed (some 3pp will be allowed though) and secondary casters such as Rangers and Paladins will have their spell lists cut and the spells will be fluffed differently (Cure Wounds is the application of a Healing Poultice or Draught; Smite is drawing on your inner reserves of faith in your Oath while swinging your weapon; Pass Without Trace is the ranger literally removing the tracks and coaching other party members on the best ways to move quietly; etc.). Though the campaign will start out relatively small, see the quest above, as it advances the battles can grow in scale to the point of full on sieges, aerial combat on the backs of dragons, and armies meeting on the field of battle. You can gain retainers, lands, prestige, reputation, and power. Or you can expend all of your resources to make yourself into the most deadly combatant in Westeros. The choices are yours to make!

TLDR: We will be using the combat and character mechanics of D&D 5e while using the Role Play and Economic aspects of A Song of Fire and Ice Roleplaying book in an open world sandbox within Westeros. There will be no Raise Dead mechanic (the closest being Revivify with the Paladin) and combat will be brutal, deadly, and impactful to the story.

Game Status: Two players are currently signed up and willing to pay the bulk of the expense ($20 each/session)
We are seeking two other players (who would pay $6 each/session for the first 5 sessions and then $11 each/session for session 6+) Preference will be given to a couple as the two initial players are one as well, though please feel free to apply regardless as it isn't a mandatory requirement.
Please note that Character Creation assistance and Session 0 (a 4 hour RP session wherein you are introduced to the world and my gaming style to ensure you are enjoying yourself) are completely free of charge.
The game will be played on Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM PST via Discord Voice and Fantasy Grounds Table Top (I own Ultimate so the Free Version works).

If you have any questions feel free to reply here, message me privately, or send me a message on Discord at James#3296

Also, please note that I have other games in the works and I offer Virtual Table Top gaming with Voice as well as Play by Post in a multitude of settings such as StarCraft, X-Com, Red Dead Redemption, standard Golarion, Forgotten Realms, etc. My limits are only your imagination!