Discussion:Caves of Chaos (Potential Recruitment)

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GamerAim (talk) 14:24, 14 June 2017 (UTC)

Would anyone be up for a PbP run of Caves of Chaos/Keep on the Borderlands? Limited players with preference given towards newbies. Some homebrew would be allowed, per review. Gauging interest for now, so if you wanna play, replying to let me know is the best way to make that happen. Will probably be a one-shot, not a campaign, but I'd see how things went.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 09:50, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

I'd like to join if there are enough players. What's Caves of Chaos about tho? And also, what level would we be starting at?

--AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 09:50, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

GamerAim (talk) 12:38, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

Caves of Chaos is the 5e conversion of popular level 1 adventure module "Keep on the Borderlands." You arrive at a keep where you're told about monsters in them there hills. Presumably you fight them, but the game hasn't started yet so IDK what you do. There's no frills or linear pre-baked story — just some players, a referee and a lot of encounters to be approached as you choose. Comes with such features as a) a base of operations, b) overland travel, c) non-linearity. I'll probably come up with a better hook, of course, but it'll probably be one that suits the desires of the players/characters. Don't want to pidgeonhole anyone into having particular goals or some such.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 16:56, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

I'm having an extremely hard time picking a class/race... I'll wait for more players so I can slot myself into the team comp. I really hope this adventure goes well!

GamerAim (talk) 17:05, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

If you know of anywhere else to recruit players, these discussion forums on here don't get many views, I don't think.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 18:55, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

Hmm... I'll ask periodically in the Tavern Chatroom. Also, do you mind if I play a Slate Cyk'n Paladin?

Nightmares are dreams too... (talk) 23:08, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

I'd be down. Might need to make a new sheet for the run though. Don't know what to run yet...

Guy (talk) 23:18, 15 June 2017 (UTC)

I'd be up for it if you'll have me. I wouldn't call myself a newbie, though, so consider me to be a back-up if you can't otherwise gather enough players by the time you want to start. I would be happy to play any race that isn't human, any class that isn't represented by another party member, and any alignment that works with the group/setting.

GamerAim (talk) 05:50, 21 June 2017 (MDT)

Sadly, I didn't get enough player interest in this. If it were even just four players, I could have managed, I'm sure (maybe give everyone a feat at level 1), but alas I did not, so it is not meant to be ;_; Sorry, everyone.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 06:16, 21 June 2017 (MDT)

:(

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 13:19, 21 June 2017 (MDT)

BTW, I have two friends who are interested, they are on holiday now but will be getting back soon. Could the starting of the game be postponed until then by any chance? They are new to PbP but they know a fair amount about D&D itself.

GamerAim (talk) 20:06, 21 June 2017 (MDT)

Very well! If I can see 4-6 complete character sheets in the near future, I will run the game. As well, I will not allow the Cyk'n race, sadly. Net ASI of +7, resistance to two common damage types, natural AC, superior darkvision, above-average speed, weapon proficiencies, and HP increase? That looks kinda OP to me :( Sorry.

Guy (talk) 18:30, 21 June 2017 (MDT)

Speaking of homebrew races, how would you feel about a mad scrub barbarian, a business scrub bard, or a gerudo rogue?

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 02:54, 22 June 2017 (MDT)

The net ASI isn't +7, it's +3. You have to choose between the three ASIs, you don't get a +2 to each.

GamerAim (talk) 09:04, 22 June 2017 (MDT)

Ah, it seems I missed that part! Hmm, you two seem like you know balance, so you can play those races \o/

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 10:24, 22 June 2017 (MDT)

:3

Green Dragon (talk) 12:43, 22 June 2017 (MDT)

I am interested too, but I am by no means a newbie. What level would be be starting at?

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 13:04, 22 June 2017 (MDT)

I think we'll be starting at level 1. Also, here is my character sheet. It's not complete yet, but I might as well link to it here: In'Za, Slate Cyk'n Paladin

GamerAim (talk) 15:07, 22 June 2017 (MDT)

Since no newbies responded, I guess it's not a newbie game. Should still be fun. You start at level 1, at any rate. In'Za looks good, mechanically. I'm not going to force anyone to write more fluff than they want — no reason why it can't be written in-game. It'll be interesting, though, as I doubt Keep was written with the expectation of high-power planar paladins!

Nightmares are dreams too... (talk) 15:17, 22 June 2017 (MDT)

Hmm. Should I just go straightforward and go Elnade Healer?

Side note, since figuring out the whole linking deal, I LOVE IT!!!

— Geodude671 (talk | contribs)‎ . . 19:02, 22 June 2017 (MDT)

I would like to join please. I don't know what I want to play yet; I'll probably base my decision off what other party members we have and what roles need filling.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 01:07, 23 June 2017 (MDT)

Should I use the standard ability score array? Because I got some lucky rolls for my ability scores.

GamerAim (talk) 05:14, 23 June 2017 (MDT)

I've read that it's standard in 5e now to use some sort of array for ability scores, so I guess that's what we're doing. I don't write the rules, I just follow them :/

How do people on the wiki roll for things? Any suggestions?

Guy (talk) 05:56, 23 June 2017 (MDT)

When it comes to ability scores, most 5e games I've played either use the standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) or the standard point buy system. I'm fine with anything, though.

As for rolling on the wiki, I'm not sure what others have used. The sparse times I've done PbP in the past, rolz has been pretty good. Everyone in our group would join a specific chatroom on that site. Whenever you need to roll something, you go the the chatroom, declare what you're rolling, and make the roll there. If anyone doubts what you claimed to roll, they can just go to the chatroom and check the roll history.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 06:25, 23 June 2017 (MDT)

It's not mandatory to use the array, I was just wondering whether those scores would be allowed/wanted or not since they're high rolls. I can change the ability scores to fit the standard array if anyone wants. Rolz seems great tho. Btw, I've put In'Za's backstory in now.

Guy (talk) 06:32, 23 June 2017 (MDT)

In regards to your rolls, A&A, my only concern is that (to my knowledge) no one saw you roll. I'm not calling you a cheater, but in my experience if a cheater's going to cheat, they try to do it on the ability score rolls no one sees them make.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 06:38, 23 June 2017 (MDT)

Fair enough, I'll swap out the ability scores for standard ones :) My character's done now.

GamerAim (talk) 06:49, 23 June 2017 (MDT)

Okay, the character looks good. Rolz is fine if everyone agrees to it. We just need a solution that everyone can/will use :)

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 07:28, 23 June 2017 (MDT)

I'm down for Rolz, it seems perfect.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 10:08, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

Information concerning my friends, one is a High Elf rogue, and one is a Goliath Fighter.

GamerAim (talk) 12:31, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

What is the Goliath race? I need a reference for it. If it's in a sourcebook I don't have, I also won't be able to allow it.

Guy (talk) 12:44, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

Goliath is on page 10-11 of the Elemental Evil Player's Companion. It's covered in a little more detail in Volo's Guide to Monsters, but the racial traits are the same. Unlike some other races introduced in the EE supplement, I would say it's pretty balanced against the core races.

Considering we already have two front-liners and a rogue, I might go for a caster of some sort.

GamerAim (talk) 12:58, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

I just read it, and Goliath is fine. Thanks, Guy.

Green Dragon (talk) 16:01, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

Could you give us a starter page, or should be consider that anything we want to play is good now?

GamerAim (talk) 16:08, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

I don't know every 5e race/class/archetype/background/feat/equipment/spell/etc., so I won't give a set list for you to pick from. If it's in the SRD, it's fine. If it's a sourcebook, I need to have it to check it. If it's homebrew, I need to look it over. I generally trust your judgement on things, GD, so whatever you want is probably fine, but if it's not from the SRD, I want to review it just in case I need to make special consideration for it. Sorry I can't be more specific, but just stick with SRD material if you don't want to have to run it by me first :/

Green Dragon (talk) 16:30, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

That's all totally fine. What I would like is some more information about what we will be playing. Could you start the gaming page? For example, would a Selkie be useful in this game?

GamerAim (talk) 16:40, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

Hmm, I guess you have a point! Knowing the basic setup will be useful. A selkie wouldn't be terribly useful, I don't think. Mostly subterranean adventuring (but not in a hot climate, at least). I'll get on that, then.

GamerAim (talk) 17:40, 24 June 2017 (MDT)

The page is up with an introduction. I'll try to add answers to any question you may have to there as well. Since it's set in a forested/hilly region and mentions caves multiple times, I imagine that's a good indication it won't be set in water?

As well, since no one objected, I made a rolz thing (well technically Guy did, but when I didn't know that until it redirected me to the already-made Caves of Chaos dice room :P). Doesn't look like you need to register to use it, but you can if you want. I hope this works for everyone :)

P.S. I may or may not roll some or no rolls in the rolz chat, probably depending on if you need to see it. I'm a fair GM, but sometimes you have to fudge things or bypass the rules or generally not want the players to see what/that you rolled! And also, you don't need to see most rolls. I hope the lack of transparency is fine with everyone? :)

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 01:26, 25 June 2017 (MDT)

I'm fine with the mysteriousness. It makes the game more challenging.

Guy (talk) 05:55, 25 June 2017 (MDT)

Of course. I would expect a GM to make secret/fudged rolls when appropriate.

By the way, here's my character. Let me know if everything's okay. The "spy" background best suited her, but it gives proficiency with thieves' tools. A&A's rogue friend would also be proficient in theives' tools by nature of being a rogue. To avoid PC overlap, is there any chance I could change that out for proficiency in a forgery kit or some other appropriate tool?

Green Dragon (talk) 14:33, 25 June 2017 (MDT)

Will you allow me to play a Rakshia (5e Race) (Cavern), Pirate (5e Class), and a Islander (5e Background)?

GamerAim (talk) 17:17, 25 June 2017 (MDT)

That looks alright, GD. Islander looks handy for overland stuff as well.

GamerAim (talk) 18:20, 25 June 2017 (MDT)

I don't think Umbra Lux is playing anymore, so I hope someone else can cover that healing.

Guy (talk) 21:03, 25 June 2017 (MDT)

I don't think a dedicated healer is as vital in 5e as it was in earlier editions, thanks mostly to short rests. I get song of rest at 2nd level, which makes resting even more useful. Plus at 1st level our resident paladin also gets lay on hands (5 hp), which is nearly as good as a slot for cure wounds (~7.5 hp).

At 1st level I only have two spell slots, which I was planning to expend exclusively for the fantastically useful combat-support spell faerie fire. The other spells I have are intended mostly for ritual casting, but if the party demands it I can replace detect magic with cure wounds. It could save someone from dying, after all.

Nevermind, I read the chatroom log and apparently Geodude671 is going to play a human cleric. Assuming he plays a traditional healing cleric, problem solved.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 03:12, 27 June 2017 (MDT)

Maybe someone should have Healing Word, as it's often hard to get to an endangered ally in the midst of battle.

— Geodude671 (talk | contribs)‎ . . 08:57, 27 June 2017 (MDT)

A dedicated healer is not necessary in 5e. I will be playing a Wood Elf Arcana Cleric.

Potential for 2 more to join?

Hi there

Our friend Angels and Aarakocra suggested it would be possible for two more of us to join.

I have a pdf file with our 2 character sheets. Where should I send this / load this?

Many thanks,

Shadow_Racer

GamerAim (talk) 09:8, 1 July 2017 (MDT)

If it's under 2 MB, you can upload it here :)

P.S. You can click the Add New Comment at the top to add a new comment with your signature at the top.

Shadow Racer 10 4 (talk) 02:00, 3 July 2017 (MDT)

OK. I've uploaded our two character sheets (as separate pdf files).

I'll get my fellow friend Erdan to register for this wiki too.

Many thanks

GamerAim (talk) 06:03, 3 July 2017 (MDT)

The characters look fine, but could you please transcribe the information to a user subpage? :) Look at AngelsAndAarocka's sheet above for an example of how to do it. This will make it easier to keep track of and update.

It doesn't look like Geodude671 or Green Dragon are going to play, unless there's been some delay on their end I'm not aware of. I'll see if either of then has anything to say before I start the game without them.

Green Dragon (talk) 09:24, 3 July 2017 (MDT)

Start without me. I'll see about joining at a later point in time.

Guy (talk) 11:53, 3 July 2017 (MDT)

Shadow Racer, it might be easiest to transcribe it to a user subpage by clicking here and following that guide.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 12:02, 3 July 2017 (MDT)

I didn't know how to do that! Cool!

— Geodude671 (talk | contribs)‎ . . 13:17, 3 July 2017 (MDT)

Yeah, you're going to have to start without me, too. Sorry. Like GD I'll see about joining at a later point.

GamerAim (talk) 18:57, 5 July 2017 (MDT)

To reiterate, I will write the first game post as soon as the last two character sheets are wikified and posted here.

Green Dragon (talk) 00:04, 7 July 2017 (MDT)

I added Wfoz Herametz onto the game page.

GamerAim (talk) 12:57, 11 July 2017 (MDT)

First game post is up. People can post now.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 01:01, 12 July 2017 (MDT)

Awesome! Hyped for it!

IT Issues Sorted - Ready to Play!

Hi All

Sorry - lost things at this end for the last week or so.

All sorted now (thank you local ISP etc).

I've loaded my character page up as suggested. Zazu.

My team mate has also created his (his username is GuitarLion7 and his character name is Erdan).

Sorry we're both new to this. Do we log into the wiki game page now?

Thanks for your help and support,

ShadowRacer10_4

One more to play?

Hi all

My friends Shadow_Racer_10_4 and AngelsAndAarakocra suggested I join this game too.

I've created my character sheet as suggested (Erdan).

Goodbye

GamerAim (talk) 13:23, 12 July 2017 (MDT)

Yes, you two can still join :) Campaign page is here. Please familiarize yourself with the instructions top of the page, as well as the format of how others replied. You can bold text by surrounding it with 3 apostrophes on each side of the text ('''like this'''), but italicization is not needed for writing dialogue (please use quotation marks as normal). You can link to pages using the following format: [URL-GOES-HERE Normal text is separated from the URL via a single space. Everything to the right of the space is rendered as normal text that links to the URL. Remember to only use single brackets.]

That's all you should need to know. As long as you remember that and read the instructions like I said, you should do fine :)

Agrith (talk) 17:51, 12 July 2017 (MDT)

You up for another player? If you are, is a Scaled Dracon Monk with the Outlander Background named Jack of the Forest (for obvious reasons) okay?

GamerAim (talk) 20:03, 12 July 2017 (MDT)

I guess it's alright. Marasmusine doesn't seem to have issues with it, though IIRC, the unarmed AC bonus should actually be something like the Barbarian's unarmed AC? Either way, it's effectively the same (since it doesn't stack with armor), just an aside. I'll run a max of 6 players, so I guess I have room :)

Guy (talk) 22:07, 12 July 2017 (MDT)

I did say earlier to, "consider me to be a back-up if you can't otherwise gather enough players by the time you want to start." With this sudden influx of new players, I'll drop out of the game. I wouldn't want to keep a newbie from being able to play in a campaign originally intended for newbies.

At this point it seems like Decca's abrupt and unexplained absence wouldn't cause any issue.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 03:19, 13 July 2017 (MDT)

Awww there's still a free space for the new guy :(

GamerAim (talk) 05:38, 13 July 2017 (MDT)

I mean, only 3 people have actually written a post yet, and you were one of them, so AFAIK, we do only have 2 players, but okay.

Agrith (talk) 19:37, 13 July 2017 (MDT)

Here we are! Jack of the Forest is ready to go! After you check it, of course. Just a warning, I will try to edit when I can, but my phone hates and only allows pages (and even sections) to have so many character in the edit window before cutting everything else off and preventing new characters. Plus I can get on my computer only so often. If this is a deal breaker for you, I will gracefully bow out. Thank you.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 01:17, 14 July 2017 (MDT)

We have the most exotic races in our party lol.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 01:17, 14 July 2017 (MDT)

We have the most exotic races in our party lol

GamerAim (talk) 05:59, 14 July 2017 (MDT)

The character is fine, but the page/section will probably get pretty long, so if that's gonna be an issue... If not, you can go ahead and post whenever.

GamerAim (talk) 14:10, 26 July 2017 (MDT)

If anyone, including AngelsAndAarakocra's friends, wants to join the party to help prevent a total party kill, please do so! The party is a little understaffed right now, unless they hire some NPC henchmen or something. They nearly got killed by kobolds (admittedly, their advantage on attack rolls effectively doubles their numbers) before entering the dungeon.

Guy (talk) 15:02, 26 July 2017 (MDT)

Even with Decca tentatively rejoining, it seems like it be prudent to search the keep for at least one more brave mercenary we can afford, whether it's a PC or NPC.

That's partially why I wanted to stay in the village a little bit longer before rushing into the caves. As well as recruit anyone (any NPC) brave enough to join us, I was also hoping to gather general intel from the populace and get a little bit more of a feel of the keep. Immediately prior to arrival, I was also intending to ritual cast either speak with animals (to potentially acquire a willing squirrel or bird sentry) or unseen servant (which is surprisingly useful for springing traps among other things).

_{Previous experience suggests I have a tendency to spend an abnormal amount of time preparing for an encounter/dungeon.}

GamerAim (talk) 15:21, 26 July 2017 (MDT)

Hey, Guy. I've been waiting to see you in chat to talk about you leaving and all, but the one time I saw you in there, you left. I'm sorry I moved the game on without you. When you edited the page to fix an error, but didn't leave a reply after a couple of hours, I (mistakenly) assumed you had nothing to add and moved on, and when I tried to talk to you in chat, I guess you had to leave. I'm fine with you (re-re-)joining, but I want you to know I didn't mean to make you feel left out or anything. I'll try to leave you (and others) more time to reply from now on.

Guy (talk) 02:12, 27 July 2017 (MDT)

Oh, don't worry about it. I'm overly accustomed to a more active style of D&D, perhaps. PbP is still new to me. Hopefully I'm not being too much of a bother in general.

At the time it seemed like having a healer show up again would be more than helpful, so I hoped no one would mind Decca's reappearance.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 12:55, 30 July 2017 (MDT)

Since my friends don't seem to want to join anymore (I have emailed them a couple times about it), do you mind if someone else I told about the game joins? They want to use the Stoatlet Race (I made it for them), and the Runner class.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 12:56, 30 July 2017 (MDT)

Since my friends don't seem to want to join anymore (I have emailed them a couple times about it), do you mind if someone else I told about the game joins? They want to use the Stoatlet Race (I made it for them), and the Runner class.

GamerAim (talk) 13:27, 30 July 2017 (MDT)

Yes, you can invite someone else. Runner class is fine, but stoatlet race doesn't seem very well-rounded. It looks like ASIs and proficiencies in the form of a race.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 13:32, 30 July 2017 (MDT)

Do you have any advice for how to improve it? It does have a lot of ASIs, but I don't really understand the proficiency complaint.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 13:32, 30 July 2017 (MDT)

Do you have any advice for how to improve it? It does have a lot of ASIs, but I don't really understand the proficiency complaint.

GamerAim (talk) 14:49, 30 July 2017 (MDT)

It just looks like its only traits (aside from movement speed) are ASIs and gaining proficiency in some things. IDK how to explain how I feel about it, but it doesn't feel purposeful. Like it's there only to provide proficiency and ability score improvements.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 01:50, 31 July 2017 (MDT)

I see what you mean. I'll change up the proficiencies so that only Forest stoat has them. The reason there a so many ASIs is because the person I made the race for is newish to 5e, so I made them a fairly simple race.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 10:46, 31 July 2017 (MDT)

How is the race now?

2A02:C7F:DA14:B200:F4F2:161A:E976:7551 11:36, 10 August 2017 (MDT)

I've made some edits to the Stoatlet race. Do you mind taking another look at it?

-AngelsAndAarakocra (the login was faulty)

GamerAim (talk) 06:27, 11 August 2017 (MDT)

I suppose the race is fine.

2A02:C7F:DA14:B200:510E:E4D3:4EA0:60C6 04:37, 12 August 2017 (MDT)

Thanks!

-AngelsAndAarakocra

StoatyGoodness (talk) 11:08, 14 August 2017 (MDT)

Hi there, My character class allows me to use dexterity rather than strength for Athletics checks. However when I try to change the total bonus manually it just displays the bonus without the name of the skill. Is there any way around this?

Guy (talk) 13:03, 14 August 2017 (MDT)

The template is a little obtuse when it comes to non-standard modifiers like that. I took the liberty of adjusting the page myself — hope you don't mind.

StoatyGoodness (talk) 02:57, 15 August 2017 (MDT)

Hi there, My character is now finished so how can I join the game please?

StoatyGoodness (talk) 03:00, 15 August 2017 (MDT)

Guy, thanks for sorting out those proficiency scores btw 😊

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 03:51, 15 August 2017 (MDT)

Um. Someone called Cosco Malicor just added their character to the CoC page. Did they check that with anyone?

— Geodude671 (talk | contribs)‎ . . 03:55, 15 August 2017 (MDT)

I saw him discussing it with GA in the tavern earlier.

AngelsAndAarakocra (talk) 04:10, 15 August 2017 (MDT)

Oh good. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't just a random person adding their character. Thanks!

GamerAim (talk) 17:49, 15 August 2017 (MDT)

You and Cotsu have been written in and can play now :)