Interest Check - The Manacles of Destruction, A Dungeons and Dragons Adventure

[A Man Is No One]

Greetings,

Above you will have read the basic premise of chapter one, Trial of Champions in a Dungeon and Dragon's campaign of my own designed titled The Manacles of Destruction. This campaign will follow the basic rule set of version 3.5 dungeons and dragons. The typical supplemental book such as the Player's Handbook, Monster Manual 3.5, or any number of similar texts that may aid in your creative license when it comes to writing your posts. However, the continent in which it partakes will be something of my own design. On that note certain aspects of common background may be altered. Such alterations will be made available to you when the OOC is constructed. After quickly exploring the site's dice roller, it seems simple enough and should prove fruitful for this particular endeavor. I shall be exploiting it thusly and as such will provide the link once the role play thread is established.

On any accord, I'm looking for a small group of perhaps no more than three or four player characters, the character sheet requierments will be laid out in the OOC assuming enough interest is shown. Any substantial holes in the party may be filled by DM provided and controlled NPCs. Furthermore, I anticipate this particular campaign to push through many chapters if those involved are so enthralled. So if you are interested please let it be known here. Upon the receipt of notice from three interested parties I shall commense creation of the appropriate OOC information.

Thank you,

TL:DR - Looking for 3 or 4 individuals to participate in a tradition 3.5 D&D campaign. As soon as I see at least 3 people interested, I'll throw together the OOC.

[Yamazaki]

I'm interested, but I have a few questions:

-starting level (please say something above first level...)?
-any banned books/classes/PrC's/etc?
-house rules?

Obviously, there's a few more issues that should be addressed with this, but those are the core ones. I have access to PDF's off most of the books (for some reason I cannot locate Complete Scoundrel anymore, which is a bummer, since it had some great feats)

On a related note, if you have not looked into it, I recommend giving Pathfinder a look over, since it's an updated version of the 3.5 ruleset. A lot of issues were fixed (tripping, disarming, grappling, etc are now within a mostly unified system; fighters aren't complete shit anymore and sorcerers have more flavor than gran pappy was a dragon, etc). And most of it's free that isn't core to their setting. And for those who cannot handle such an overwhelming amount of info, the official Pathfinder Reference Document might be better organized (by book).
[/ rant ]

-Yamazaki

[A Man Is No One]

Well, unfortunately it would be a first level start. I'm big on the classic approach. Given that it is the start of a campaign that if it takes off I can see going on towards epic levels I like to see the initial fear of a party kill looming around every corner. As for books and classes, none of the books I can think of are off limits. I'd even allow the use of psionics despite my lack of love for the idea or the book itself. Of course, I'd expect nothing on the level of a demi-god (I think complete divine) provides something along those lines. But if something comes up as an issue it would be addressed at the time. As for house rules, I've never really had any on the table. But given the medium we are using here my only "house rule" would most likely be that the dice rolling would be really left to a minimum because I'd prefer the creative side of things not be hindered by too much. For example, rolling might certainly be necessary for fighting. But if I see that your sleight of hand is being modified by a positive eight as a DM I wouldn't take a second glance as someone writing in that they snatched something off a table near someone who might otherwise stop them from stealing something.

As for the pathfinder rules I certainly will take a look at it. I have a couple of friends who play pathfinder on the table top but I've never had the inclination to explore it. Perhaps now I will.

[HatBF]

I'd be super interested in giving this a go, this is exactly like what I've been craving. I just need to dig out my 3.5 books!

[Yamazaki]

Bummer about starting at first level, but I understand. If it makes sense for the story and setting, I can roll with it.

I used to be a big fan of psionics (especially soul knife, which sucks but is fun to play), but over the years I find them to be underwhelming.

If anything, the only thing I've banned from play when I ran in the past is true name magic (from tome of magic), on the account that it's terribly done and shouldn't exist as a separate playable magic system. Sure, binding, shadow magic, incarnum, and book of 9 swords are almost as badly done, but they're still playable. And in some cases, quite fun.

Don't worry about dice rolling. If anything, I'll roll every time as needed without a second thought. I'm used to PbP DnD.

[Carrot]

I am very interested, though I will admit I am new to both D&D 3.5 (I've only played 4 and 5e) as well as the concept of PbP DnD.

[A Man Is No One]

Well it appears as though I have garnered enough interest so I will begin putting together the OOC now since it seems a break from finishing up this Blood Reavers is just what I need. I'm going to clarify a few things.

a) I don't want to bog down a potentially awesome role play with monotony of crazy rules and the like. And since this is my first play of D&D using the internet as a medium I'd like to keep it more casual.

b) Personally, I'd love to limit things to the PHB, MM3.5, Spell Compendium, and of course the DMG 3.5. But let's be realistic, that would just be ludacrous and probably turn any number of people away. Which I don't want. I will say this though, if you do want to use something that is from one of the off the wall books, please just let me know what book so I can take a look myself. I expect you guys to know the rules for your own stuff if it is something uncommon. But I'm not going to harp on someone for making a mistake.

So give me a few days and I will try to get everything together appropriately.

Thanks for showing your interest.

[A Man Is No One]

Just in case I messed up anyone's personal visitor message, the link below will take you to the IC/OOC/CS drop zone at your convenience. I wil be checking back daily with the intention of getting things rolling Monday or Tuesday.

http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/3956447

[Yamazaki]

@ELGainsborough@Carrot@HatBF

FYI, I will be using Complete books as well as PHB2. I'll stay out of the obscure stuff, since it's been a long while (and let's face it, the good stuff is in the Complete books anyhow). I'll be sure to note what's coming from what for everyone's convenience.

So before I start cranking out a character, I suppose we should discuss who's gonna play what. I've got a bucket list of character builds I've always wanted to break out, so I'm down for a few different playstyles. Right now I'm between a spellthief 1/duskblade 5+ (Master Spellthief from Complete Scoundrel is a great feat), rogue/swashbuckler (using Daring Outlaw from Complete Scoundrel to stack 'em), or possibly Hellfire Warlock (not likely). In case you didn't realize, I greatly enjoy light fighters. Depending on how the rest of the party lines up, I may focus my skills towards trap killing and mobility.

Side note: anyone who needs help is welcome to ask me. I'm an old vet of 3.5 and Pathfinder, and fairly well versed in power-gaming (I'll hold back though, since I doubt we need that in this game).

[A Man Is No One]

Obviously we can wait until everyone else throws their two cents in, but you can't ever really go wrong with a rogue. And a swashbuckler would fit into the setting quite well.

[Yamazaki]

@ELGainsborough

Questions that have come up while I'm bouncing the numbers around:
-How much is our starting gold?
-How much of a stickler will you be about encumbrance? I know most GM's will fudge it unless the situation says otherwise

[A Man Is No One]

You starting gold should follow the typical 3.5 assortment. If you opt to avoid the initial starter pack with the given class and the subsequent small amount of gold to flow with it, you can opt for the Random Starting Gold on pg 111 of the PHB3.5 which provides you can roll or use the average. The example character I created actually worked out rather well so don't be surprised if you see 'em. I've essentially dropped the giant negative modifier for two weapon fighting to -2 for both weapons.

Anyway, as for encumbrance, it will most likely be fudged. Assuming you are not trying to walk out with seventeen swords, four bows, twelve suits of armor, you'll be fine. I like it for the fluffy feel on the character sheet, but essentially as a DM I feel like the treasure would be split between the party well enough where the party won't be terrible slowed by it.

[Carrot]

I was planning on rolling up an Elf Paladin. Not sure subtype of Elf just yet.

[Yamazaki]

I was planning on rolling up an Elf Paladin. Not sure subtype of Elf just yet.

@Carrot

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that elf subtypes are mostly fluff in 3.5, with the big exception being the Drow. But I usually play human in 3.5, since a bonus feat and extra skill points are great, and I'm still scraping off some of the rust. I've been spoiled by the Pathfinder OGC...

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

@ELGainsborough, I will admit you have my attention with this as a promising enterprise. I will not make it unclear to you that I am an optimizer by trade, but I am of the vein who do so to match a character ideal. Of characters? I am partial to druidic summoners, shamans and shapeshifters, warrior-clerics, combat psychics and expansive theurges; the latter being entered early with some finesse. When possible, I go with unusual, often beastly characters but even where inappropriate all of them have a primal theme underlying in them.

As for elven subtypes, more than anything they vary in their ability score adjustments and their culture. I cannot think of any significant changes beyond those.

[A Man Is No One]

@Carrot - Using an elf paladin is fine. However, I will reiterated information that is available on the official out of character section.

Elves function a bit differently in this particular land. Typical elves, which we will call high elves are merely city born elves. Whether they be a human city or a elf city is debatable. Either way, their stats as listed in the PHB stand. Wild elves are just that, those typically deemed wood elves or other wilderness dwelling elves. They live in a variety of village types or potentially act in a nomadic fashion as well. Dark elves or drow in this particular area are not what we considering Drizzt Drow. Instead, they are a corrupted form of either high or wild elf. For all extensive purpose you can assume the same physical appearance and stat line from the MM3.5 for using Drow as a player character. However, you'll have to keep in mind that with Dark elves those better traveled will know them for what they are and treat them as such. So choose carefully.

@The Harbinger of Ferocity - You are more than welcome to check out the OOC and draft up a character for consideration in the party. I won't flounder you for being a power gamer. It isn't my style but you're not me so I don't expect you to act as such. But as I have told the others, if you are using something out of the relative norm just let me know where you've gotten it from so I can educate myself accordingly.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

@ELGainsborough, I will make the distinction that I am not invested in the pursuit of power as so much an ideal of an archetype I choose. I am certain to continue on the trend of in-depth specialization, but you needn't worry that I am here to break your game. I have no issue with citing the source of everything as well.