DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Hall of Fame - Latest Top 10 completed games LMP: Lost Mines of Phandelver Introduction and PC building thread

Welcome one and all to D&D 5th edition!

Everything you need to build characters and learn about the system is here: D&D Adventurer's League Resource Center.

Yes, this will be played using Adventurer league rules. So follow the guidelines in that hand-out to make your PC's. I'll take PC sheets in any format you like. Pick a faction. Pick an alignment. If you have a Player's Handbook available, you are free to make up a PC of any class or race in it. If you don't and want to play something in the PHB, PM me and we'll work it out.

This is about learning the game but also to have fun. When I have 5 players, we start. I hope to move it fast. Yes, we'll roleplay, but we won't linger.

Ask questions here. Anyone can answer them.

Anyone got any preference as to what they want to be?

Not yet. Just bought the PH today so I have reading to do

I've played several pc types already so I am willing to fill in whatever the gap is after other choose.

So I have AJ, Gypsy, kenseg, pandemonium, Nivek & Zeim
That's 6. Perfect. I saw Mina post interest too. I think I'll close the game With that and open it back only if needed.

Hey Neptune, are we using just the basic four classes from the PDF or all of them from the Players Handbook?

My guess (and Neptune can correct me if I'm wrong) is that if you went out and bought the PHB you can create a 1st level pc of any class in there. If you are only using the Basic Rules pdf then you'd create one of the 4 classes it has. Otherwise he'd have to scan the book and upload it and that's not only a PITA but also has copy-write issues involved.

I am fine with either way as I got the book for my FTF game. Just want to know for character concept reasons.

We are using all PC classes and races from the PHB. Constraints are any Adventuer's League constraints like for alignment and certain priest domains. These will be legal AL PC's and will earn renown, downtime, etc.

The hook for all of you will be similar. You are here to meet a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker at the Driftwood Tavern for a job. If and how you know him is up to you.

Going to be going for a Fighter, taking the Eldritch Knight archetype a couple levels down the line.

Nice choice!

Oops. Left MikeD off. He's in

I'm thinking Dwarven Cleric

Thinking about a ranger or a rogue. Will be happy to wait and see if anyone wants either of those and I will take the other.

Hmm my PHB arrives Friday. In the meantime I was looking through the pdf. I am happy to fill in to most roles. I tend to lean towards fighter types normally, but happy to play a spell slinger or other element. Which really doesn't say much I know. Will have more after I have a chance to read and cogitate a bit more.

There are more than enough classes and sub-classes as well as races to go around.

Races: Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, Human, Dragonborn, Gnome, Half-elf, Half-orc, Tiefling

Classes: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Some races have sub-races. Most classes have sub-classes or other ways to vary the class. There's enough choice to go around. If you want ideas or help, drop me a PM.

I played a "Lightfoot" halfling rogue that picked the arcane trickster archtype. That made him sort of a Mage/Thief. Variety is the spice of life.

Oh, and because we are playing Adventurer League rules, if you decide to change your PC at any time before 5th level NO PROBLEM. You can change from a male dwarven fighter to a female elven wizard without losing XP's earned and with my blessing

I assume everything but Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, Wizard require the actual book, same for the basic races. I didn't see anything else on the PDF I was reading. Although I guess it doesn't matter a lot. Still want Cleric, but might have considered another race.

I'd like to start out as a female human rogue if no-one has any problem with that?

Just to clarify Nep - You can change anything about your character =EXCEPT= the name. That is set the first time you play the character.

The other 'caveat' with change - If you change factions, you lose any 'points' you had with that faction ... you traitor you. And you start with no points in your new faction ... how can we trust someone that will abandon their commitment that way <g>

Other than that, change away!!

Correct Nivek ... although Nep did mention that he would be happy to help anyone that doesn't have the book develop their character using content from the book. And I am willing to help with that too.

OK ... guess I will go with the ranger then <g>

Throwing my hat in the 'poke me if you need help' ring.

Nep - Once you get a requested class list from everyone, can you publish? I will fill in any gaps with my pc.

Otherwise, I can play my Tiefling Warlock I built at Gencon. I'll just change the name and put him back to 1st level. Easy-peasy.

So far, looks like:

AJ: Fighter (Eldritch Knight eventually) Dragonborn, half-Orc or Human.
Niv: Cleric, Dwarf or a PHB uncommon race
Gypsy: Female Human Rogue
MikeD: Ranger
Zeim: Tiefling Warlock or fill gaps
Pande: Fighter type, happy to switch it up.
Kenseg: ?
Mina: ?

I'll stick with Dwarf. There so cute and cuddly

Looks like, for the other two pcs, we could use a Wizard at least. Then maybe a Bard, Paladin, or Druid?

Ok I have succumbed to temptation and ordered the PHB!

Oooo ... question. Are we starting at 1st ... or some other level?

Neptune> Do you (or anyone else) have an editable character sheet? If not, what format do you want this in?

Or maybe a better question, will you be coming up with character generation rules? Or just use standard stats and all that?

So a question about halflings, do they still have to use small weapons ie do less damage?

For some reason a raging halfling great weapon using barbarian sounds entertaining to me. But I don't want to hamstring the character.

I could easily play a paladin. Why am I stuck on a halfling. Great weapon Paladin? Sheesh.

Character submitted, went with a Dragonborn Fighter of Noble background, affiliated to the Lord's Alliance. If anyone wants some nefarious plotting or backstoryage, poke me.

Pande: Weapons have a property 'Heavy' which gives small characters Disadvantage when using them.

Thinking Dwarven (Hill Dwarf) cleric. Thinking Soldier background.

Thinking War Domain. (Thanks AJ)

(Seeing a trend here?)

Member of The Order of the Gauntlet

Thanks AJ. I figured that was the case and yes that would hamstring the toon in my opinion.

Though I suppose I could go finesse, with lighter weapons. Just doesn't have the punch I had hoped for.

Heh, Tiefling Paladin. Hmm that sounds entertaining but so many questions and have to wait till Friday evening before I can look stuff up.

There are some Versatile weapons that can be wielded two-handed but don't have the heavy tag, such as Spear, Trident, Warhammer, Longsword and Battleaxe. They get a damage die boost when wielded 2-handed.

Gypsy,
Hint: I know you wanted a human rogue but there is a major advantage to playing a lightfoot halfling. They are small and can hide behind their own party members with a successful stealth roll. With that they can gain advantage and the "sneak" damage. See page 17 of the Basic Rules.

Here's a link to a pc sheet pdf. There are more easily fillable ones around. I need to look for them again.

http://media.wizards.com/downloads/dnd/TODCharacterSheet.pdf

OK, I think I found the better one. It has a tab on it for spellcasters that toggles the pages for non-spell casters and spell casters.

http://www.enworld.org/forum/rpgdownloads.php?do=download&downloadid=1053

Ok, you have convinced me. Halfing (likely Stout) Probably Battle Axe weilding, Paladin. Will know more, backgrounds and such when my PHB arrives on Friday. Not set in stone, but I will go Paladin if no one else wants it. The race and weapons still being sorted as I want to see the options within the framework of the game.

PC sheet submitted. Tiefling Warlock. Zhentarim Faction. If I need to change to something else to balance the party, no issues.

I will see what Mina wants and fill in with what is needed since I get to play this FTF every Saturday

FWIW, my human ranger, Bern, will be a member of the Emerald Enclave ... of course <g>

Zeim and I both played PC's who were Zhentarim at Gencon.

And BTW, the Zhentarim emerged as the "champions" of the Epic Corruption in Kryptgarden convention event.

Not overly found of playing non humans. I'll think on it.. depends on the background story I can come up with.

OK, going human Calashite female Thief, Zhentarim Faction, Sage background. Intending to play a 'tomb raider' type explorer, rather than a typical thief.

Background is building nicely.

How do I do stats - roll dice, use points.. ?

Adventure's League uses an 'assignment' method for stats. You have a 15, 14, 13, 12, 10 & 8 that you can assign any way that you like. Then add any 'bumps' from race, class, etc.

That is one method in the pdf yes, but there are others. Want to know which Neptune is adopting or do we get the choice?

Gypsy,
What MikeD said.
You can also use the point-buy system. Distribute 27 points:

Code

Score Cost 
  8    0
  9    1
 10    2
 11    3
 12    4
 13    5
 14    7
 15    9

And my "rules" are 100% the Adventurer's League rules.

Gypsy - Best split for a human is probably:

15, 15, 13, 10, 9, 9 = 27 points. Then when you add the +1 to all stats a human gets you have 16, 16, 14, 11, 10, 10.

Thanks for that calc Zeim.

Pande - NP. Other races have different splits because they get different stat bumps than humans do.

Well I will be sure to ask when I have settled on a race. Which hopefully will be later today or tomorrow.

We'll go this through the weekend for PC setup and I'll probably be running 2 games unless someone else volunteers to run "virtual-table#2".

I posted the following in the Message Gaming Center but I'll do it here too...

If I play a character in a game and one of the players DM's we could do 2 parties of 5 (which is ideal) easily. We each get a PC and 2 people who play, also DM. Here's a role-call of players interested:

• AJ
• Exeter
• Gypsy
• KenSeg
• MikeD
• Mina
• Neptune (DM)
• Nivek
• Pandemonium
• Zeim

Okay so wizard or bard for me. I am just reading the book and should have something done over the weekend.

Folks, contemplate 2 parties. I'll divide things up in a sensible way to keep party configuration balanced.

Pande & Others:

Point distribution for non-humans - (except half-elves) All non-humans (except half-elves) get +2 to one specific stat and +1 to one other specific stat. Best point distribution IMO is:

14, 14, 13, 12, 10, 10 = 27 points

Then you put one of the 14's in the stat you get +2 to and the 13 in the stat you get +1 to and you end up with:

16, 14, 14, 12, 10, 10

Half-elves get a +2 to Cha and +1 to 2 different stats of their choice so it's a little different, but you can do the same thing basically and end up with:

16, 14, 14, 12, 11, 10 or such.

Alright, if no one else wants to volunteer I can give it a try so Neptune can play and so we don't have to turn anyone away.

However, I have a workshop at work all week next week then in mid-September I have a week-long business trip to Barcelona, first week of October I have a business trip to Rhode Island, and mid October I have a conference in Austin for a week. I expect I am going to be slow posting at times.

Ugh saved that pdf form and voila, everything gone. I think I'll just stick to text.

If you press the "Clear Form" button, that is what happens......

I know AJ picked a Dragonborn fighter and I don't want to be too close to another PC, but since we have two groups possibly, we have options.

How about a Dragonborn Paladin. Not sure which oath yet, thinking either the nature one, which would align nicely with the Emerald faction, or Vengeance.

Leaning towards The Emerald Enclave and for a background Outlander.

If AJ's character and mine are in the same game, nefarious backstory plotting is a definite possibility.

Thanks again for the calc Zeim. It will make my character build much easier.

Zeim,
Thanks for helping out. We'll just pick each other up when things get busy. It'll happen for me too.

So we need to have a fantasy draft for the players....

Oh, that for baseball and football, but is does sound almost right

I like that idea. You two get to pick who you have in your games

Also Neil expressed an interest!

Pande, if your character is a paladin, you don't need to worry about being too close to mine.

I think Neil said he would lurk but with 2 groups, there's now room for more players.

np Pande.

However, with two parties now we definitely need someone else to take a Cleric. We need one in each group.

I wouldn't mind playing a cleric.

Btw, to throw another wrinkle in to the stats discussion, if you are willing to accept a penalty for one of your stats (8 gives you a -1 penalty), instead of:

16, 14, 14, 12, 10, 10

You can do:

16, 16, 14, 10, 10, 8 (this is after the racial mods)

Keep in mind to use any of these examples I am giving you have to put the higher numbers in those stats your race gives you a benefit to. IOW you can't take a High Elf Wizard and try to put you highest stats into Str and Con. They have to go to Dex and Int. Otherwise the examples I gave don't work.

I haven't had time yet to read more than about half the basic pdf file (hope to finish it up tomorrow) but I'm thinking about a human cleric...

Maybe...
STR 14
DEX 10
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 16
CHA 12

The classes that have the "cure wounds" spells are: cleric, druid, ranger, paladin and bard. Note that the ranger and paladin don't get spells until 2nd level but the paladin has lay on hands which gives him/her a 5hp/level pool of cures.

Only proviso to that is Bard has to choose his "Known Spells", meaning he'd have to choose 'Cure Wounds' to be in his repertoire. All the others have no "Known Spell" limit so they can choose from among all the spells in their Class List.

Ok playing with the stats on the Dragonborn Paladin.
Str 16
Int 10 or 8 depending on feedback
Wis 12
Dex 10 or 8 depending on feedback
Con 14
Cha 16

So trying to decide which Dex or Int for the dump stat, so to speak. I am leaning towards Dex, but would like feedback. Since he will be in heavy armor, I suspect Dex will never be all that useful. Other than dodging and that just can't be helped.

I also seem him as smarter rather than quicker. And from what I am reading Wisdom is useful for his saves.

Still working my way through the book and character creation, but that is the beginning arrangement.
Thanks for the help folks.

You can't have 16, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8. You can have either:

16, 14, 14, 12, 10, 10 or
16, 16, 14, 10, 10, 8

Wisdom is used for Perception, including Passive Perception (noticing something without specifically looking for it). All the stats are used for Saves, depending on what the Save is. Combat Saves, for damage effects, versus Spells tend to be Dex or Con mostly. Combat Saves for Charm type spells tend to be Wis.

If he is going to wear heavy armour, yes, his Dex won't help his AC, but remember that all of those Stats are also used in his Skills. The Dex Skills are:

Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth (none of which it sounds like he cares about)

The Int skills are:

Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion (most of which I think he might be interested in).

So I think, all in all, if you want him to be smarter, then yes, put the 8 in Dex.

So I guess it comes down to which is of greater benefit, +3 from Cha for a lot of his stuff, or +2, and have a +1 from Wisdom for Perception and other skill stuff that he will eventually take. Your original layout is more balanced, but I have to figure out what it means for him as a character.

I guess having one less of a bonus in Cha for a bonus in Wis might be a good trade off. Ultimately it all works, just trying to figure out what it means for him. Obviously he is still a sapling and has a way to grow.

Thanks perfect feedback and of course the correction.

Keep in mind that his spells are Cha based, meaning he uses Cha as the basis for any spell bonuses he gets, so don't drop it too low. It should definitely get the 14, since you need to put the 16's in Str and Con because that's where your racial bonuses are. I think the stats sort of place themselves for you. If you want to go for the second 16 and take the 8, then it seems:

Str - 16
Con - 16
Dex - 8
Wis - 10
Int - 10
Cha - 14

Hmm, is there an errata? Dragonborn seem to have bonuses in Strength and Cha, partly why I picked him. It is also why Con had a 14, Str and Cha both 16 with the alternative build.

Nope, you are correct. I read quickly. So it'd be:

Str 16
Con 14
Dex 8
Wis 10
Int 10
Cha 16

Or

Str 16
Con 14
Dex 10
Wis 12
Int 10
Cha 14

pande, be aware that, while the -1 on dex isn't a problem for AC if you wear heavy armor, there are 'skills' that use it <g> So decide how important Acrobatics, Stealth or Slight of Hand are to your character.

I'll harken back to 1st edition. The Paladin had more "stat" requirements than any other class - including a 17 charisma! The only stat that they didn't have a requirement for was dex. So, conceptually, I understand why you would dump dex. But Dex also is needed for range attacks, initiative rolls and armor class - all of them important for a fighter type. Intelligence might be a better dump because it's primarily about knowledge and arcane/wizard type magic. Paladins draw magical power from wisdom.

As much as a PC loves to have Stealth, and as a Knight of the Wood, or something like that, he would need that skill. I can't take all that he has to be at 1st level. So some spots will have holes.

The trick is what numerically (because I am a math head and that is how I roll) works out most advantageous. I like the two 16s but that forces an 8 someplace as well as giving up the 12.

I know that the character will level given time but it isn't likely to be too fast and attribute bumps are far apart.

Haven't got to the skill section in the PHB yet. It seems a different sort of organization, no "here is the summary" section. Maybe I just haven't found it yet. But no matter I will work through it.

Honestly if I looked at 4 skills without regard to the backgrounds etc... I think Athletics, Survival (both given by Outlander, why I picked it), Stealth and Insight. Though someplace I would love to see Nature in his mix. Instead of Medicine. But I can live without Stealth, heavy armor and all that. Insight and the first two he can have. So all I have to figure out is Nature at some point.

How does one get other skills, at level 1 or higher?

Part of background, class or race.

Since I'll be playing too, I should say what it is I'm playing. I'll be playing a halfling rogue (arcane trickster).

The roster as I think it is so far....

AJ: Fighter (Eldritch Knight) Dragonborn
Nivek: Cleric Dwarf
Gypsy: Rogue Human
MikeD: Ranger Human
Zeim: Warlock Tiefling
Pande: Paladin Dragonborn
Kenseg: Bard/Wizard
Mina: TBD
Exeter: Cleric Human
Neptune: Rogue (Arcane Trickster) Halfling

I'm taking a -8 in Dex, wearing Heavy armor though and going to make so much noise that there will be no stealth

I am going in the other party <weg>

LOL. -8 dex means that surprise will be rare. He might as well wear a helmet that glows and put bells on his toes

if they add to wisdom or strength, I'll take them

All in all looks like it'll be pretty easy to put two balanced parties together. Especially if Mina likes Wizards.

I posted my character sheet in the gallery as the text for the picture. The format I used was stolen from Nivek's. I thought it was simple and clear. There's no reason to hide your sheets. Remove anything you think is "private" for your DM and PM him (when you find out who it is).

If you have a more elaborate format, like a filled in PDF, post that instead. No problem-o.

I posted a text version of my character sheet in the gallery. Please people with more familiarity take a look and see if it is done correctly. As always with a first foray things might go awry.
Thanks

I just eyeballed mine on notepad. I'll append to the gallery.

Okay, put me in the non LE group please

Leave the evil buggers to kill each other off.

Don't worry, backstabbing other party members is clearly and explicitly banned. I suspect the LE folk are just going to be greedy, unscrupulous, willing to kill every being outside of civilised areas that try to get in the party's way. You know, adventurers.

Wow I didn't even look at the algnments. I created a Paladin you know LG. This particular one is a encourager of the light, believe in life and goodness. He is so going to die a short death if in the LE party, even if they do agree on Law.

As per the Adventurer's League rules:



You'll be fine. The same thing that prevents your guy smiting my guy prevents my guy stabbing yours: We're in this together come what may despite any personal misgivings.

Yeah except unless they have changed the rules a Paladin can't associate with an evil character. Haven't really read up on that recently but that is definitely how I would play a LG paladin.

"Don't worry Pally, you can hang out with my wizard

OK. Here's a fact. Zeim and I are both <ahem> Zhentarim so there's no "evil" party and no party devoid of an "evil" presence. I know that my PC leans to the criminal side of neutral. Is he going to commit murder? Will he rape and pillage? Is he going to torture innocent children? No. Will he feel guilty about lying to a guard to get past him? Maybe, but he'll get over it. Will he roll loaded dice in a game of chance? Yes, because the ends justifies the means, until he gets caught.

The ultra good (read goody two-shoes paladins and clerics) might find it a particular challenge to try and help him and other lost souls like him repent for his sins and show him the way. While they're doing that he might be palming the coin from their collection plates.

In Adventurer League play the 5 factions (including the mostly evil Zhentarim) are unifying to keep the Cult of the Dragon from succeeding. Consider it a roleplaying challenge to work with those who have lesser morals.

Ken,

Paladins are not prohibited from associating with evil people. The fact that you (metagaming) know a PC's alignment does not trigger your PC's Divine Sense (detect evil). That's reserved for demons, devils, desecrated areas and undead.

Also from the Adventure's League
Allowed Alignments

D&D Adventurers League play focuses on creating a welcoming, fun environment. Though we recognize that most players are able to portray characters who run a wide range of motivations, we’ve decided to restrict alignment choices to keep groups from becoming too self-destructive. The following alignments are not allowed in the D&D Adventurers League:

• Neutral evil
• Chaotic evil

In addition, the following alignment is restricted to Lords’ Alliance or Zhentarim faction characters only:

• Lawful evil

What can I say, old school here.

Yeah I saw all those Zentarim's. Will be fun, especially with some of the background traits I have.