Beneath the Turnstone Peaks - Pregame Discussion

[squosher]

Start still might be a while, I'm ready with the first part of the adventure, but people are stilll going through character creation. I'll be optimistic and say I'll try and get things started by this weekend, but seeing as I'm waiting on other people, that isn't certain.

Feel free to change some things before we start (tell me what your changing though ofc).

[squosher]

Nah, I'd rather we all started at the same time.

[squosher]

A quick update on progress, most people are finished or nearly finished with their characters. Some people aren't, but thats fine, there is no hurry. The game won't start until everyone is ready. I hope to start next weekend, but it may need pushing back by a few days depending on how long people's character creation takes. I have the first version of the map of the area you will be in is up (I will probably add some more details before the game starts, and I will hopefully also finish the map of the whole continent before the game starts), and the character descriptions will be up for the people who have got that far shortly. So, without further ado:

[squosher]

Pregame Discussion

Now is the time for some out of character discussion before the game starts. Its time to discuss with the other players out of character and plan and coordinate things if you like. This is also a good chance to ask me about the details of the setting you want to know and watch me fail to make up place names on the spot. I will also put some setting information in the original post over the next few days. Finally this is also a good time to ask questions about how the game will run or request things you might want in the game (I can't promise anything but I might be able to add something).

I'll start the discussion off.

For players who have played before:

What elements of dnd do you like the most and what elements do you like least?

For the new players:

What do you hope your experience of playing dnd will be like? What do you hope it won't be like?

[DJVoxel]

My preference is having challenging, strategic combat mixed with heavy politics and a major emphasis on roleplaying, buuuuuuuuuuut it can be a lot to deal with for newer players, and takes more time on the DMs part to prep.

I'm happy just to play, even if none of the elements match up with what I'd prefer, because the game is still fun as is.

[Blackajack]

Pregame Discussion

Now is the time for some out of character discussion before the game starts. Its time to discuss with the other players out of character and plan and coordinate things if you like. This is also a good chance to ask me about the details of the setting you want to know and watch me fail to make up place names on the spot. I will also put some setting information in the original post over the next few days. Finally this is also a good time to ask questions about how the game will run or request things you might want in the game (I can't promise anything but I might be able to add something).

I'll start the discussion off.

For players who have played before:

What elements of dnd do you like the most and what elements do you like least?

For the new players:

What do you hope your experience of playing dnd will be like? What do you hope it won't be like?

Personally, I prefer a game which isn't linear with multiple options and paths through areas, both in and out of combat. This includes story paths, with certain options opening and closing depending on micro/macro choices.

I don't mind if the adventure is super easy or on the more challenging side, and much like DJVoxel I am happy just to play. DnD is a game where you partially make your own fun alongside everyone else, so I can find anything out of it. Though, I do have a slight bias to be more leaned towards combat.

In terms of the world:

What is the name of this hunk of rock we call our planet?
What is the region we are starting/playing in for this campaign?
Will this campaign most likely only take place on one continent/region or stray across multiple?
Will we be informed on what Turnstone peaks is and the history behind it?
How are we starting session one, per say? What situation are we wrapped in? Jail? Inn?
Do we need to keep our own reasons for staying in the group, or will you create one which will motivate our characters?
Is there anything in the DnD universe - creature wise - that doesn't exist in this tale? For instance, do dragons exist?
What is our crit/fumble rules?
Is this a more open or linear story?

That's my questions for now.

[TheLastEvangelist]

Pregame Discussion

Now is the time for some out of character discussion before the game starts. Its time to discuss with the other players out of character and plan and coordinate things if you like. This is also a good chance to ask me about the details of the setting you want to know and watch me fail to make up place names on the spot. I will also put some setting information in the original post over the next few days. Finally this is also a good time to ask questions about how the game will run or request things you might want in the game (I can't promise anything but I might be able to add something).

I'll start the discussion off.

For players who have played before:

What elements of dnd do you like the most and what elements do you like least?

For the new players:

What do you hope your experience of playing dnd will be like? What do you hope it won't be like?

I hope it'll be something fun that I remember for a long time. I also hope that the game's story and stuff isn't filled with overused tropes.

[sunfirejr]

look i just want a fun game, if we're serious that's cool, but i want it all to inevitably be chaotic bullshit for some reason or the other

[DJVoxel]

Pregame Discussion

Now is the time for some out of character discussion before the game starts. Its time to discuss with the other players out of character and plan and coordinate things if you like. This is also a good chance to ask me about the details of the setting you want to know and watch me fail to make up place names on the spot. I will also put some setting information in the original post over the next few days. Finally this is also a good time to ask questions about how the game will run or request things you might want in the game (I can't promise anything but I might be able to add something).

I'll start the discussion off.

For players who have played before:

What elements of dnd do you like the most and what elements do you like least?

For the new players:

What do you hope your experience of playing dnd will be like? What do you hope it won't be like?

I hope it'll be something fun that I remember for a long time. I also hope that the game's story and stuff isn't filled with overused tropes.

Tropes are tropes for a reason, they work. As long as it doesn't make the story predictable, it shouldn't be much if a problem.

Which overused tropes do you mean?

Also this.

Edit: Additional question. Do we get additional starting gold because we're starting with 3rd level characters?

Edit 2: We already have 3 tieflings O_o

[Bluedetroyer]

Edit 2: We already have 3 tieflings O_o

I’m the best tiefling though

[DJVoxel]

Edit 2: We already have 3 tieflings O_o

I’m the best tiefling though

And one Aasimar

If this keeps up with the rest of the characters we'll have to call ourselves the "Demonically Divine Delinquents"

[squosher]

In terms of the world:

What is the name of this hunk of rock we call our planet?
I'll respond to this one once I've thought of one lol

What is the region we are starting/playing in for this campaign?
I'm not sure how long this campaign will go on for. I'll run an adventure which will take place at the base of the turnstone peaks, one of the large mountain range. The adventure will take place in the town of Harrowhill across the surrounding hills, though you may end up going to some of the other nearby towns during the adventure. At the end of the adventure I will ask people whether or not they want to keep playing, and if they do I will continue the campaign, probably continuing everyones journey east and spending time in some of the regions to the east of the continent.

Will this campaign most likely only take place on one continent/region or stray across multiple?
I kind of answered this above but the adventure will likely take place in a fairly locallised area but if you choose to keep playing you will probably eventually end up visiting at least a significant portion of the continent.

Will we be informed on what Turnstone peaks is and the history behind it?
The turnstone peaks are the biggest mountain range in the continent. I will give a bit more info of them when I draw the map of the continent.

How are we starting session one, per say? What situation are we wrapped in? Jail? Inn?
When we will start, you will be journeying east along the mountainfoot path. You will have met each other along the journey and got to know each other a little (so we don't have to do introductions). The adventure will start on the road as the day is nearing its close and you are not far from the town of Harrowhill, where you plan to stay for the night.

Do we need to keep our own reasons for staying in the group, or will you create one which will motivate our characters?
Near the start the whole group will be tasked with doing something, so the group will likely naturally stay together for at least the start of the adventure. After that, then the group staying together is less under my control and more under yours.

Is there anything in the DnD universe - creature wise - that doesn't exist in this tale? For instance, do dragons exist?
Dragons exist, most of the normal creatures exist. The religion in this setting is a bit unusual, but I'll get to that a bit later when I have time.

What is our crit/fumble rules?
Crits deal double damage on attacks as normal. In general, crits always make you succeed (within reason), crit fails always make you fail. I will sometimes add extra situational consequences for a crit or fumble, but not every time.

Is this a more open or linear story?
It will be more on the open side of things, but at least for the adventure part, there will be a set goal.

That's my questions for now.

[squosher]

My main questions/suggestions are as follows:
1-Do you plan to take advantage of the character's backstories. That's something I would like to see, it could make it a lot more interesting/difficult for the characters if, per example one of the characters from their backstory (a lover/sibling/mentor) ended up being a villian or died in the crossfire.
If the campaign continues rather than just being one adventure, then yes there will be some level of backstory involvement.

2-Will our characters start out in the same place?
You will start out travelling in the same caravan. As for why you are on a caravan going along a trade route from west to east, thats up to you.

I have a couple more but I gtg.

[squosher]

Also. Are the characters alignments mafe public info?

No.

Edit: Additional question. Do we get additional starting gold because we're starting with 3rd level characters?

No.


As for the story, I've tried to make it interesting and not to tropey, we will see how it goes.


Some people have touched on this already, but to ask a slightly more specific question:

What sort of balance of Combat, Exploration and Social interaction would you all like the game to have?

Also, do you want any puzzles?

[DJVoxel]

What do you define as Exploration?

so we don't have to do introductions

D:
I like character introductions

When casting magic, this mark glows brightly and a blinding halo of fire appears above my head.

How very anime of you

[DJVoxel]

What do you define as Exploration?

so we don't have to do introductions

D:
I like character introductions

When casting magic, this mark glows brightly and a blinding halo of fire appears above my head.

How very anime of you

It's one of the requirements of sorcerers

It is absolutely not. There is nothing in the description for sorcerers in the PHB that requires bits that glow when you cast magic.

Keep in mind, you still need an arcane focus to channel your energy.

[DJVoxel]

There has to be some magical effect that happens when you cast magic..I have an arcane focus.

No there doesn't, other than the spell effect itself.

The only requirements are whatever the spell requires, whether that be Verbal, Somatic or Material components, but the caster does not need to give any visible effect that they are casting a spell. That would defeat the purpose when trying to cast something like the Friends cantrip without other people noticing.

If you want that to happen to your character when they cast a spell then fine, but you can't really ever hide that you're casting a spell like that.

[DJVoxel]

"Even when one's magic goes off as planned, the act of casting is often accompanied by a telltale sign that makes it clear where the magical energy came from. It can be tied to your origin, some other aspect of who you are, or a seemingly random phenomenon."

....

I'm dumb.

I must have skipped over it when I was checking over the class description

[squosher]

look i just want a fun game, if we're serious that's cool, but i want it all to inevitably be chaotic bullshit for some reason or the other

I usually aim for a serious game, and then see what it turns into. If a game wants to be a silly game then it will become one, regardless of any decisions that I make.

"Even when one's magic goes off as planned, the act of casting is often accompanied by a telltale sign that makes it clear where the magical energy came from. It can be tied to your origin, some other aspect of who you are, or a seemingly random phenomenon."

....

I'm dumb.

I must have skipped over it when I was checking over the class description

Don't worry, I did the exact same thing when we were discussing his character.

Edit 2: We already have 3 tieflings O_o

It seems every party is either like 4 humans and a half elf, or like 2 lizardfolk, a goblin, an eladrin, a fire gensai and a tiefling. There is no middleground.

Also. Are the characters alignments mafe public info?

If anyone wants the know to make people suspicious of your character, this is how.

D:
I like character introductions

I feel like they always come off a bit forced. I will give you time to do some talk between your characters before anything actually happens.

What do you define as Exploration?

Descovering the unknown. For example looking through an abandoned warehouse, travelling through a jungle in search of something, or exploring an ancient tomb.

[squosher]

How will our various connection's to demonic and celestial beings effect gameplay? Will there be certain people willing or unwilling to help us because of our varying spiritual inclinations?

Some people may be like that, yes. I'll talk more about religious attitudes to other religions and also to otherworldly beings when I do the detailed write up on religion which I keep putting off writing.

[DJVoxel]

How will our various connection's to demonic and celestial beings effect gameplay? Will there be certain people willing or unwilling to help us because of our varying spiritual inclinations?

Probably

[sunfirejr]

We already have 3 tieflings O_o

Can't believe I told you what I was, yet you believe my description

my deception is already in use

anyway

*Flashes back to that time my brother made himself a dragonborn named Jeff and called his clan the Klu Klux. So I made all the dragonborn clans his sworn enemy and the only way they could pass safely through is to seek refuge in churches which worshipped the dragon god. He stepped in, insulted the acolyte and the entire religion out of stupidity, and was immediately struck down by sacred flame.

what
the dragon was the head of the Klu Klux Clan? and he was killed by the church? what the fuck

[sunfirejr]

why not both?

[Blackajack]

I'm dragonborn FWI but my character description already made that obvious.

[squosher]

Also. To the host. Will we be allowed to use PMs for private conversations, hidden actions, and the like?

Yes you can, but I would prefer if you don't do it too much because it can make things less fun for the other players and for random people reading the thread because they don't get to see what is going on.