[5e DnD] West Marches Style Campaign [Closed]

[RedKnight]

@All,

Thanks for your interest. I have PMed the first group of intrepid adventurers. However, this is meant to be a shared/open world.  So, there is the opportunity for a second group to form up and launch an adventure.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I have a large Underdark campaign I can try to run in this open world.

[Blinkin]

I'm tentively interested, I'm not sure how exactly it works, but as a player, it sounds interesting. What do I need to do first?

[RedKnight]

I'm tentively interested, I'm not sure how exactly it works, but as a player, it sounds interesting. What do I need to do first?

Caution, this is should be considered someone what of a Beta product.  It is my 1st attempt to run a Campaign/Adventure on Elliquiy and my fist attempt to run a group R/X-rated adventure. I’m part of a successful PG-13 West Marches game on another site, and I have run several solo Smut/X-rated adventures - both 5e and freeform.

I just formed the first party and I’m working on getting them started on their 1st adventure.

Ideally, what I would like is for a second party (including a GM) to be formed.  I would join the party as a player and help the group navigate the ins and outs of a West Marches format. Specifically, take a look at Campaign outline (link below) as well as Isengrad’s and Ehkoe’s character/adventure template posts below.  Fill out the template and find a few like minded folks and we will be on our way.
 
Campaign Outline - working draft

[RedKnight]

And a quick update on where we are:

Group1 (crabmouse, Ehkoe, ihinka, isengard, and pdragon) is in Adventure Planning.  I have the OOC and IC threads up, but there are a few details around the adventure palette that we need to iron out.

I'm looking for people to flesh out Group 2 (including hopefully a GM).  When I have a quorum, we'll launch Group 2. My preference with Group 2 is that I will be a player to see how the process works from the other side.

With the launch of group 2, I put up a few Campaign level threads (e.g., Characters, House Rules, Adventure Planning, possibly an IC thread for the actual CrossRoads). 

And a quick Re-cap.  This is a Beta of a Shared/Open world with different adventures run by different GMs in different Worlds.  The rule set is 5e.  Feel free to ask questions.  If you are interested, fill out a character and adventure palette.   

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I feel like I need a bit more hand holding with how this would work.

[RedKnight]

I feel like I need a bit more hand holding with how this would work.

Lots of detail below and a simple offer.  If you are interested in running an adventure using Crossroads, I would be happy to help you plan the adventure, with no commitment to running it.   

The steps:
1) Create a character,
2)Express an interest in going on an adventure. For my first adventure here, I took the first few people who expressed an interest. However, I hope that like-minded groups will form. 
3)Find a group of like-minded players (and a GM).  Some people will be picky about the adventure palette, while others will take the 1st available.
4)Play out the adventure. Note, I have tried to limit the adventure to a defined scope (e.g., ~10 scenes/encounters, ~40 posts, ~4 months IRL). This size gives everyone a defined end.
5)Level up your character and go back to step 2

If you want to be a GM, I suggest starting with the adventure palette (see below). Fill out the points where you have a strong preference and leave the rest blank. Let players know that you are willing to GM. Let people know if you want to use your homebrew world or a piece from a standard World (e.g., Eberron, Faerun).

Then you want to Outline your adventure - what is the Objective, where is it taking place, who are the various players (factions and unique NPC/Monsters). I like to limit myself to a one-page set of bulleted lists. If you are new to GMing, you may want to start with a location-based adventure. For my 1st adventure, I had an encampment over top of three caves next to the seashore.  I have run at least six adventures around the location as PCs traveled there and back to investigate parts of the location.

I have mentored several GMs in the West Marches Campaign.  From reviewing their adventure outline to coming along on the adventure as a player or co-GM.  For example, one person had an adventure outline but was not comfortable with the combat mechanics.  So, I ran the 1st encounter.  Then they ran the second with some suggestions from me. Then they ran the 3rd encounter, and I gave a bit of feedback at the end.   

Adventure Palette
Story Type: (e.g., location, mystery, object search, escort):
Story Thumbnail:
Story/Smut Ratio:
Combat/Social/Exploration Ratio:
Pacing (e.g., Max/Min Post/week):
Desired Posting Length:
Location (e.g., Elliquiy, Discord, Other):
Desired Players (Min/Max):
Excited By:
Veils:
Lines:

The link below is for a different West Marches Campaign.  However, it should give you a bit of insight into some of my thoughts.
West Marches Planning Guide

[WhatLiesAbove]

I am interested, but I have never played 5e.

[RedKnight]

I am interested, but I have never played 5e.

WLA,

Have you played any other System Based Role Playing Games - e.g., an earlier version of DnD, GURPS, FATE, Powered by the Apocalypse?

I have had some success showing people how to play DnD 5e, by running a solo game for them and then introducing the rules as they come up in the game.  Unfortunately, I’m pretty fully booked right now.

If you are seriously interested in 1) playing 5e, 2)Play by Post and 3) this West Marches game, I would find someone with whom to pair up.  This person could help you through the process of creating character and then explain the rules and provide advice on how to play. 

[ihinka]

I mean, I mostly learned 5e through watching Critical Role... Well, initially, anyways. But I'm happy to buddy up with someone and help them through the process. Even if I still consider myself a noob as well XD

[Urbanzorro]

Is recruiting still open for this?

[Isengrad]

I think it still is, already have 1 group and looking for a second.

[RedKnight]

Is recruiting still open for this?

Yes, Recruiting is still open. With a couple of caveats. First, I'm hoping to get someone else to GM Group Two for a variety of reasons - wanting/needing to start developing a group of GMs, wanting to see how my GM stuff works in reality with other GMs, having a bunch of characters that I would like to play.  Second, this is an experiment for me.  I may after a few games decide that a West Marches Style play does not work well on Elliquiy.
 

[mjrbatou]

Adventure Palette
Story Type: rescue
Story Thumbnail: (N/A until I look)
Story/Smut Ratio: 80/20 (smut primarily on party defeat, optional otherwise)
Combat/Social/Exploration Ratio: 30/30/40
Pacing : 1-3/week
Desired Posting Length: 2+ paragraphs out of combat
Location : elliquiy
Desired Players : 3-5
Excited By: too many to list
Veils: let me get back to you...
Lines: scat, water sports

A quick palette fill in for the Forest Maze, a short rescue quest that may feature things like oviposition and will be nigh impossible for characters to get hurt or die.

[RedKnight]

Sweet!

Mjrbatou, please PM me with any questions about GMing. Generally, a GM is free to do as they see fit the only caveat being holding approximately to a time line for Milestone advancement.  Right now, my plan is to base treasure (gold, magic, Lifestyle, etc.) on character level - freeing the GM of having to worry about treasure.

As well, my plan is to have the magic level set relatively low. This will provide GMs the option of adding magic to the character (e.g., specific items or a budget) to bring them to a desired level. I have not figured out what I’m going to do about disposable magic/gear - e.g., rations, healing potions, scrolls.  Feel free to provide them to the group as you feel appropriate.

Also, I tend to base my adventures on an Adventuring Day - the characters get two short rests over the duration of the adventure, and no long rest. However, you should adjust the based on what you feel appropriate for the adventure.  As an example, I have given out extra hit dice, and or spell slots (arcane recovery) for some combat intense adventures.

Group 2 so far…
Mjrbatou - GM
Purplerook - character TBD on group needs, my preference is for a Wizard (Bladesinger), but I have a Cleric (Twilight Domain) in my back pocket.

[mjrbatou]

Just to reiterate for prospective players, the actual smuttiness is still up in the air.  I only mentioned the least favorite that could be included and did not mean it as a guarantee.

I wrote this up back when I was really thinking about how creatures reproduce...plus it's hard to write everything during a 10 Mon work break.

I just realized that, at the lowest posting rate, 2 encounters could end up as half the adventure.  I may need to adjust the expected ratios once I've sat and thought things through a bit more.

[Blinkin]

I'll toss my hat into the game.Natasha Bonrinko, thief 3rd with Swashbuckler Archetype. Don't act surprised. lol

[RedKnight]

Here is where we are so far
mjrbatou - GM
Blinkin - Natasha Rouge (Swashbuckler)
Red Knight - Seran(a/o) Wizard Bladesinger

Below are the details for Seran(a/o)

A bit about Blessed of Corellon. Some Elves - Blessed of Corellon - are able to change gender.  Mechanically, it is done on a long rest.  However, I'm sure that GM and I will figure out some interesting times and ways for Seran to change.  Physically, Seran will either be male (Serano) or female (Serana).  To avoid real confusion with pronouns, as a writer, I will generally stick to male pronouns when Serano and female pronouns when Serana. 

Name Seran(a/o)
Race: High Elf
Class: Wizard(Bladesinger)
Character Sheet: here

Physical Description
- Sylvan. Lean and short.
- Dancer.  Moves with a dancer's grace
- Clothes Make the Person.  Seran is skilled with cobbler's and weaver's tools. They have worked hard on creating a bespoke wardrobe that is androgenous.

Personality
- Introverted - Seran is more comfortable alone
- Intellectual - More comfortable discussing the intricacies of a spell (or Sociological theory) than trying to charm others.
- Experimental - Seran is looking for new information and will to try new things out.

Background
- Orphaned when Adventuring mother and father failed to return from a secret mission
- Fostered with a Great Aunt in Elven University
- Made fun of by classmates who consider ‘adventuring’ a fullest/stupid endeavor
- After loosing a physical confrontation with a classmate, turned to Bladesinging
- Looking for new information and experiences to hone their abilities as a Bladesinger and Wizard. Secretly searching for their parents

Sexuality
- Blessed of Corallon.  Seran is blessed (or cursed ?) to have his biology change between male and female. Sometimes this change is based on their partner's desires.
- Pan-sexual.  Seran, does not really care what type of plumbing (e.g., penis, vagina) people have.  They are more concerned with the building.  Sexually, Seran goes for their physical opposite - big, tall, bulging muscles.
- Switch.  Seran's grueling Bladesinging (martial) training has left them equally adept and giving and receiving pain and pleasure.

[mjrbatou]

I think interest dried up once I mentioned joining as a GM...I've found games tend to do that whatever they may be.

[Ehkoe]

I'm willing to take on the terrible burden and pull double duty with a second character if there's a need.

[Autocad]

I didn’t have time to make a char before but I’m interested in joining, so expect a char soon.

[RedKnight]

@All,

I decided that getting two games going may have been rushing things, particularly given the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.  So, I'm going to close this recruiting thread. 

Right now, I'm going to focus on running the 1st adventure. If things go well, I'll open recruiting for a second game in January. 

[mjrbatou]

@All,

I decided that getting two games going may have been rushing things, particularly given the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays.  So, I'm going to close this recruiting thread. 

Right now, I'm going to focus on running the 1st adventure. If things go well, I'll open recruiting for a second game in January. 

Ok, I'll check back in January.

[GhostOfPatches]

Just saw you guys are closed for now, but come January if you're still looking for players then I'm definitely interested!

[Crensler]

I would like to do the same ^w^