Zeppelin Blitz: The Tale of the Iron Wings (D&D 5e)

[Sorvoe551]

In a land where spells and steam have intertwined, a grand city sits in the center of the nation of Benedarius: Pascerlin. From the lowest slums to the highest spires of industry, all are connected with rune-covered pipes of brass. And among the elites of the land, a thrilling death game has risen to be the most popular sport in the land. It is known as Zeppelin Blitz. This spectacle of violence and engineering pits teams of pilots, mechanics, and warriors against each other over the skies of the barren wastes below in Battle Zeppelins, or "War Blimps" as the populace has coined it. The prize of victory is wealth and status, while the price for failure is the near-certainty of death as the dirigible plummets to the land below in flames and shame. This is where you come in.

The players shall partake in a journey as the newly recruited Blitz team known as The Iron Wings, hired to replace the recently-deceased team by your sponsor, Margaret Patton. Will you be a suave pilot steering your vessel through hails of gunfire? A mechanic desperately working to keep the vessel afloat? A brave warrior leaping from deck to deck to cripple the enemy? The choice is yours. As you claim more and more victories, you and your vessel will grow in strength. But be warned, as the path to the peak of the sport is littered with deceit and betrayal. High stakes and high thrills await you on this journey.

I'm looking for six players to make up the crew for this adventure. Any class within 5e can be selected, as can any race. Any class can fulfill any role when it comes to the ship, but some are better at certain things than others. For example, a Barbarian as a pilot will most likely brute force their way through danger, a Rogue could utilize the ship's mobility to its advantage, and an Artificer might manipulate the ships systems to achieve a desired effect. I have access to all the currently-released D&D 5e info, as well as the three 5e supplement books that were released by Kobold Press, which adds a bunch of new subclasses, spells, races, and items, some of which will be sprinkled in. If you want to experiment, I can provide information on the extra goodies, but don't feel pressured to avoid the official material if you don't want to.

For content, there will be descriptions of violence for combat, but nothing gratuitous. Usually at the level of a gnarly first-person shooter, but not as graphic as something like Mortal Kombat. Avoid if that is not to your taste. Otherwise, sexual content will be limited to Light initially, could potentially include non-Extreme tags later. In addition, Exotic will also be included as there are non-human species in D&D and I do not want to limit player choices when it comes to character creation.

For the actual plot, the big events will mainly revolve around ship-to-ship combat, but there will be plenty of rp opportunities and activities through the city. There's intrigue for all walks of life and I strive to make sure my players get to shine frequently. I hope to keep a pace of at least 2-3 posts per week, but more frequent and detailed roleplay will be rewarded. Let me know if you have any questions and I hope you find the idea interesting!

[DeformedCatholic]

I’ve been looking for a group RP, and I love this setting, so I’m planting a flag in this. Do you mind going into a little more detail on the different roles on a ship, to give an idea on how some of the classes might fit in? I’m specifically thinking about a caster - warlock/Sorc/Wizard. Something like a cannoneer or munitions expert makes the most sense but I’m sure there’s more dynamic options. 

… or a circle of stars Druid who’s a navigator and uses their spells to help the ship stay on course. Oooh I’m seeing a lot of possibilities here. 

[Sorvoe551]

Excellent questions! For the roles in the ship combat, the main ones are pilot, gunners, mechanics, and warriors. 

Pilots steer the ship of course, and with the example I provided in the original post, various classes can gain certain abilities/benefits when performing that role. The basics are still steering the ship and controlling the speed of the vessel.

Gunners operate the various cannons on the ship to try and blast apart the opponent. If you got some magic, why not throw some of it on top? Some fire for some sails? Acid for the metal supports? An indescribable amount of bees? Fuck it, why not? Or if you're more martial, add a little extra precision or oomph to that shot. It's all up to you.

Mechanics keep the ship afloat as you're being hammered, pretty self-explanatory, but the different classes can apply all sorts of flavor to the percussive maintenance they perform. 

Warriors are the crazy bastards who leap onto the deck of the other ship as they pass by, cause havoc, and return safely as the ship plummets to earth. But they are also responsible for keeping anyone with a similar idea from doing too much damage to their own ship. All roles are equally flavorful and important, but they are not restricted to class in any way.

Ultimately, it's up to you what you want to play. You can be any race and class and perform whatever role you desire. It's purely about your character interacting with the high-octane thrills of the world. Are some classes better-suited to certain roles? You could certainly argue that. But are any completely ineffective at certain roles? Absolutely not.

[DeformedCatholic]

Thanks for that answer! I'm definitely still interested, if you get enough other players to make this happen.

[Sorvoe551]

Bump

[Rashol]

Very very tentatively interested but no concrete idea on class or otherwise.

In spite of my fear of spellcasting classes. Part of me wants to go cleric. But still no firm ideas

[DeformedCatholic]

In spite of my fear of spellcasting classes. Part of me wants to go cleric. But still no firm ideas

For what it’s worth, I’ve had a ton of fun with Clerics. Great spell list, lots of flexibility, and the subclasses can give it a lot of flavor. 

One of the ideas that I’ve been toying with that I think would be fun is a Gnomish Druid, Circle of Wildfire. She’d be sort of the ship’s mechanic, with her and her fire sprite working in the engine room, shoveling coal and keeping the engine hot.  

That depends a little on if Sorvoe is comfortable to let us use the racial bonus rules from Tasha, where they’re more flexible. 

[Rashol]

For what it’s worth, I’ve had a ton of fun with Clerics. Great spell list, lots of flexibility, and the subclasses can give it a lot of flavor.

One of the ideas that I’ve been toying with that I think would be fun is a Gnomish Druid, Circle of Wildfire. She’d be sort of the ship’s mechanic, with her and her fire sprite working in the engine room, shoveling coal and keeping the engine hot. 

That depends a little on if Sorvoe is comfortable to let us use the racial bonus rules from Tasha, where they’re more flexible.

Now that sounds awesome!
Part of me wanted to be a cleric of light gunner and firing pewpew lasers at other ships. Or blessing our boat and firing a curse on theirs. Tempest cleric didn't work the way I expected but could see it being super op.

[Snowball]

I'd be quite interested! Possibly as a ranger to play navigator/lookout?

[Sorvoe551]

All of those sound great! I'll have to check my one Kobold Press book, but I'm certain there's a Gun Cleric class, which would be very fitting and funny for this game. Not demanding anyone play it, but it is an option.

[Sorvoe551]

That depends a little on if Sorvoe is comfortable to let us use the racial bonus rules from Tasha, where they’re more flexible.

Yep! Absolutely.

[DeformedCatholic]

Perfect.  I might have some time today to throw together a character in Beyond.  What level do you want them to start out at?

[Sorvoe551]

Level 3, but you will level up fairly quickly.

[Greenthorn]

I may join! I'll need to read up a bit more so this isn't a concrete yes... it's late, I'm supposed to be sleeping, but I did want to check out your game.

[Thunder Splash]

Is this still looking for players? Because I have a Kobold Battlesmith Artificer that would fit right in with this setting. He could be another mechanic, or if no one else wants it he could be captain if that role needs filling.

[TheLaughingOne]

Possible interest!

[Laughing Hyena]

Well you have both my interest and my question? Starting level and standard array?

We have a potential gunner, a mechanic, a navigator (possibly doubling as helmsman), and an engineer potentially. But none for the boarding party? 

[Sorvoe551]

Is this still looking for players? Because I have a Kobold Battlesmith Artificer that would fit right in with this setting. He could be another mechanic, or if no one else wants it he could be captain if that role needs filling.

Yep, absolutely! We haven't determined roles yet, but there will be time to do so once the players are solidified. Feel free to build your Artificer! You start at Level 3 and we'll do Standard Array for sake of ease.

[Sorvoe551]

Well you have both my interest and my question? Starting level and standard array?

We have a potential gunner, a mechanic, a navigator (possibly doubling as helmsman), and an engineer potentially. But none for the boarding party?

Starting Level 3 and Standard array, yes.

Also, correct, no boarding party. Perhaps you'll be a one-person army

[pdragon]

I have an idea for a warrior/boarder. An elf wizard (either bladesinger or order of scribes). She's an alcoholic ice witch who's a bit of a psychopath, infamous on the Blitz circuit for tearing through enemy ships and leaving them as frozen death traps. 

pics

[Sorvoe551]

I have an idea for a warrior/boarder. An elf wizard (either bladesinger or order of scribes). She's an alcoholic ice witch who's a bit of a psychopath, infamous on the Blitz circuit for tearing through enemy ships and leaving them as frozen death traps.

pics

Excellent concept *and* a man of culture with the Lamy pull. I approve. That would be fun to watch go off

[pdragon]

Excellent concept *and* a man of culture with the Lamy pull. I approve. That would be fun to watch go off

Was definitely a fan of Lamy for a little while. I miss the days when it was feasible to at least stay generally up to date with all of Hololive at once.

[Revelation]

Kinda interested but not sure what I would make just yet. Might need a bit to think on it.

[Rashol]

I'm still technically interested. But if the game is still potential, you might not need the cleric idea anymore. So I'm a bit stumped.

[Sorvoe551]

I'm still technically interested. But if the game is still potential, you might not need the cleric idea anymore. So I'm a bit stumped.

You can still play a cleric! It doesn’t need to be everyone has a different class. Plus, the cool thing about Clerics is you can build them in so many ways that a party of nothing but Clerics can cover everything.

[Revelation]

I might make a paladin or fighter of some sort myself - ever so slightly leaning in to the former but nothing committed yet.

[Rashol]

You can still play a cleric! It doesn’t need to be everyone has a different class. Plus, the cool thing about Clerics is you can build them in so many ways that a party of nothing but Clerics can cover everything.

What I meant was you have enough people doing the magic.

[Sorvoe551]

What I meant was you have enough people doing the magic.

If you want variety, that’s fine, but it’s not required. I ran a game that was three different Artificers. Another had two Warlocks and a Barbarian. If this group is magic focused, so be it. Don’t want to pressure you into a specific role, play what you want to play.

[Sorvoe551]

I might make a paladin or fighter of some sort myself - ever so slightly leaning in to the former but nothing committed yet.

Hell yeah! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Sorvoe551]

@DeformedCatholic Sorry to ping you out of the blue, but this campaign just got some steam back (ha!). Are you still interested in playing?

[Revelation]

Question, for racial starts are we using the standard ability scores prior to Tasha's (IE: Everyone's racial stat benefits being hard coded), or are we using Tasha's customizing your origin (IE: Making the usual +2/+1 racial stats flexible)? I'm trying to decide on what to play and I have a few concepts tossing around in my head but I'm not committed to anything just yet.

[Brittlby]

Considering a rough pitch for an Owlin airborne mechanic/ hit and run dogfight style ranger. Would there be any issues with that in the current team?

[Sorvoe551]

Considering a rough pitch for an Owlin airborne mechanic/ hit and run dogfight style ranger. Would there be any issues with that in the current team?

Not at all! That’s a great concept. I’d be super interested to see it.

[Sorvoe551]

Alrighty, for all people here who are interested, here are the full rules for character creation:

-Level 3, Standard Point Array
-All D&D races and classes are available, no third party content. Tasha’s variations are acceptable for classes and races
-You may include one (1) uncommon magical item

Looking forward to seeing the character results! You have until the end of the day on Friday, April 5th according to the EST time zone (don’t know if any of you are over the International Date Line, hence the specification). Have fun!

[Brittlby]

Can we utilize legacy versions of races?

[Sorvoe551]

Can we utilize legacy versions of races?

Yep!

[Brittlby]

Hoot Scorcher, La dame sans peur!!!

Aarakocra / Arcane Trickster

Character Sheet

One of the proud alumni of Le Prestigieux Cirque Aviaire, a flying circus consisting of avian performers, Hoot has trained in death defying acts of dash and daring since she was a small chick, initially working as an assistant to the stage wizard, Gnort Tarka. From this she picked up a cursory knowledge of illusion and enchantment schools of the mystic arts, although she was more interested in perfecting her sleight of hand and hand job skills.

Posters proclaim her to be “The Lady Without Fear!”, notorious for acts of airborne agility and speed, she is also a gifted juggler, knife thrower and trick shot archer.

She was recruited to the Iron Wings by a wealthy patron whose daughter was a big fan of her circus act and Hoot’s talented tongue. The thrill seeker seeing an opportunity for bigger money and fame, Hoot leapt at the chance to join a Blitz team. To be clear, this “favor” on the part of her patron could be something of a poison pill to get the bird girl out of her daughter’s bed permanently, given the cumulative danger from the  high mortality rate of Zep Blitz AND the high mortality rate of being sponsored by Margaret Patton.

A low born with the thinnest veneer of class, despite being well educated in proper etiquette and noble womanly arts, Hoot’s troublingly common origins peeks through in her addiction to pipe leaf, alcohol, sex, dangerous situations, hallucinogens, narcotics magical and otherwise, as well as a streak of kleptomania a kilometer wide.

[Sorvoe551]

Hoot Scorcher, La dame sans peur!!!

Aarakocra / Arcane Trickster

One of the proud alumni of Le Prestigieux Cirque Aviaire, a flying circus consisting of avian performers, Hoot has trained in death defying acts of dash and daring since she was a small chick, initially working as an assistant to the stage wizard, Gnort Tarka. From this she picked up a cursory knowledge of illusion and enchantment schools of the mystic arts, although she was more interested in perfecting her sleight of hand and hand job skills.

Posters proclaim her to be “The Lady Without Fear!”, notorious for acts of airborne agility and speed, she is also a gifted juggler, knife thrower and trick shot archer.

She was recruited to the Iron Wings by a wealthy patron whose daughter was a big fan of her circus act and Hoot’s talented tongue. The thrill seeker seeing an opportunity for bigger money and fame, Hoot leapt at the chance to join a Blitz team. To be clear, this “favor” on the part of her patron could be something of a poison pill to get the bird girl out of her daughter’s bed permanently, given the cumulative danger from the  high mortality rate of Zep Blitz AND the high mortality rate of being sponsored by Margaret Patton.

A low born with the thinnest veneer of class, despite being well educated in proper etiquette and noble womanly arts, Hoot’s troublingly common origins peeks through in her addiction to pipe leaf, alcohol, sex, dangerous situations, hallucinogens, narcotics magical and otherwise, as well as a streak of kleptomania a kilometer wide.

Ooh! She sounds like a ton of fun. I never planned on Patton having a daughter, but I can definitely work with that.

Quick question regarding the relationship between the daughter and Hoot, is it just a fling or would actual romantic tension be there?

[Brittlby]

Ooh! She sounds like a ton of fun. I never planned on Patton having a daughter, but I can definitely work with that.

Quick question regarding the relationship between the daughter and Hoot, is it just a fling or would actual romantic tension be there?

Probably just a fling on Hoot’s part that may be a first crush for the daughter!

I wasn’t necessarily committing Patton to it, so much as another noble or wealthy merchant pulling some strings to get Patton to take her on. BUT I’m okay with cutting out the middle woman and making it Patton if you want to go that direction. 

[Laughing Hyena]

You can still play a cleric! It doesn’t need to be everyone has a different class. Plus, the cool thing about Clerics is you can build them in so many ways that a party of nothing but Clerics can cover everything.

He's right Rashol, you have a basic healbot, a fighter variant, a skill monkey, a DPS caster, a utility bot and I could go on. I made three clerics as a PC in a table top session and no three were the same.

I did a combat medic warpriest, a discount Gomez Addams grave cleric and a divine conduit tempest cleric/sorcerer.

[pdragon]

Zephora Ice-Vein

extra

Sea Elf / Blade Singer Wizard

Character Sheet


Real name Saphira Val'san, the young elf was born into what could be described as "lower-middle class". Her family lived just on the edges of where the common districts ended and the slums began, but they owned their own small corner shop and were able to afford a decently comfortable life. This was far from ideal for young Saphira though, who saw helping her parents around their dinky shop as nothing short of torture, and the prospect of taking over to do it for the rest of her life a fate worse than death. No her ambitions were aimed far higher. She didn't just want comfort, or even wealth, she wanted fame, recognition, status.

Unfortunately, while she had plenty of ambition, and even a decent amount of talent, she was never a particularly bright child, not helped by her parents keeping her home to help run the shop rather than pursue any kind of proper schooling, only teaching her basic literacy needed to handle business matters. As such her plans for fame and fortune were all rather straightforward and shallow: use her looks and talent to get noticed and become popular. To that end she jumped around from endeavor to endeavor, joining whatever acting troupe or performance group would take her, often plotting to overshadow and usurp it as the top star, and promptly getting kicked out for being difficult to work with. Eventually she managed to join a band of bards as their hurdy gurdy player (a relatively easy instrument for her to pick up). She actually managed to stay in the group's good graces, and they were starting to gain some serious notoriety, when a string of sex scandals saw their lead player ran out of town by a group of angry noblemen. The backlash also saw the band's name tarnished, and the rest of the members, Saphira included, blacklisted from the industry.

This was the final blow for Saphira, who would spend the next 6 months in a depressive spiral, blowing away what money she had made in the band by drowning her sorrows and frustrations in alcohol. It was when she was stumbling home one night, having gotten herself banned from yet another bar, that she found a mysterious package left on her doorstep. The sender was anonymous, claiming to be a fan from her time back in the band, a secret admirer of sorts. Inside the package was a gift, explaining that he had spent months saving up to buy it for her, even before the band had broken up, and had continued to save up even after they disbanded. Inside was a beautiful blue flower hair ornament, and the reason its supposed high price revealed itself as soon as she slipped it on. All at once she felt her mind expanding, unlocking potential for higher thought and arcane comprehension. She felt a clarity and insight she never had before, a store of knowledge flooding into her brain. And with that knowledge...power, and with that power...an idea...

A few months later Saphira debuted on the Zeppelin Blitz circuit, having rebranded herself as Zephora Ice-Vein, "The Ice Witch", "The Boreal Beauty", "The Frost Fatale". She takes on the persona of a cold, merciless infiltrator: boarding enemy ships, freezing and cutting down everything in her path, leaving a display of frozen bodies in the aftermath of battles to pose for photoshoots with. How much of this is a character and how much is her actual personality slipping through is uncertain, but it makes her a dangerous opponent (and sometimes a dangerous teammate) to say the very least. Of course the real deception isn't in her persona, but in the fact that all of the arcane might she touts is entirely dependent on the ornament she wears, and that without it she would be a powerless fool. She guards her secret as if her life depended on it, and would kill someone over it without a second thought.

[Rashol]

Oh flip.. less than 24 hours to make a character. I can't even do that in a week.

[Sorvoe551]

Oh flip.. less than 24 hours to make a character. I can't even do that in a week.

Considering I only have two character sheets right now, I’ll likely extend it. I can also help you brainstorm characters through PM or Discord if you’d like