[D&D-5e] Against the Iron Tide

[Phil]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the interest and great submissions.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to withdraw this game: I've been reevaluating whether or not I have the time to commit to running a game and I'm sad to say I've concluded I don't right now.

I still have a strong interest in running this game, and might revisit it soon (after the new year, perhaps) but for now I have a bit too much on my plate.

-Phil

 

Game Name Against the Iron Tide

Game System DnD 5e

Theme Fantasy World War

Flavour Unforgiving and Highly Lethal, Political Intrigue

Plot Summary History in Brief Seven hundred years ago, the Ancient Red Dragon Viraquoth blessed humanity with his seed, and the Blood of the Dragon took root in the barbarian tribes of the far North. For centuries only an elite few, chieftains of the scattered tribes, held the blood and the powers it granted, and then for centuries more the blood spread, borne by conquest and lust. Today any child in the North may prove himself a descendant of Viraquoth by simple chance. Spellcasters had been rare, once, but the Blood of the Dragon spreading though the northern regions of the world created a sharp imbalance in regional power, and nearly forty years ago, Warchief Lorne of the Northern Mountain Tribes, himself of the Blood, consolidated power and united those tribes under his rule, forging the Kingdom of Lorana. What had been an uncivilized region was modernizing, quickly, and the nearby nations took notice. How long until the so-called Mad King turned his attention to their lands? How could they defend themselves from legions who could cast fire from their fingertips? And so the wizards of the Belvardian Empire who had traditionally taught but one apprentice at a time, began taking on dozens at once, and soon the first Arcane Academy was founded. Their ancient rival, the Elvish Kingdom of Eaverwoll, followed suit with an Academy of their own; civilized magic would rise to meet the challenge of untamed chaos. And indeed the Mad King was not content with his kingdom for long. Twelve Years ago he invaded the small Elven Kingdom of Ayer, and that nation fell. Two years later, he took control of the independent Dwarvish city-state of Craghold. During the years that followed Mad King Lorne swallowed up six more principalities and laid claim countless leagues of previously ungoverned farmland and wilderness. The free peoples of the wild were forced to flee or submit to Lorne's yoke. Some, like several Goblinoid clans, joined forces with Lorana and added their legions to the armies of the Mad King. Others were enslaved, forced to work their fields and mines to feed and arm the very armies that put them in chains. It became clear standing alone against Lorne was no longer an option for any nation, large or small, and so the peoples of the world formed an alliance: the Aegis Compact. First created as a treaty between Belvard and Eaverwoll, soon the other nations of the region would sign as well, setting aside old grudges to join as a unified force. Under the terms of the compact, an attack on one would be an attack on them all. Undeterred, four months ago Lorania's armies crossed the border into Verdania, a loosely organized alliance of Halfling townships and a member of the Aegis Compact. The World is at War! Your Place in All This You are fresh conscripts from the various nations of the Aegis Compact, called to hold the line against the forces of conquest. To be perfectly clear: you are not ready for this. This war isn't about skill at arms or even how many soldiers a nation can field. This war is about living artillery, spellcasters throwing balls of fire that can wipe out battalions. If you can't do that (and if you're reading this, you can't, at least not yet) you are simply a part of a wall of meat and iron meant to defend those that can. You arrive at The Trenches, earthen fortifications dug for miles across the fertile farmlands of the Green Valley of Verdania. The enemy waits, three-hundred feet away in trenches of their own. There are rumors the Mad King's forces have been mobilizing for a major assault, and ready or not, you're there to stop it or die trying. Races Most races from official, published sources are allowed. Races and racial options from official but yet-to-be-published sources like Unearthed Arcana or the Eberron pdf may be allowed on a case-by-case basis (check with me). Most of the races present in this world function the same in this world as they do throughout the Dungeons and Dragons multiverse. Exceptions are listed below.   Humans This campaign will allow the variant human racial template. However, the feat and skill proficiency granted by that template must represent a distinct tradition of that culture: in other words, a human's bonus feat is not a personal feature, it's a feature of anyone who comes from that same cultural background. This doesn't mean everyone from a given nation must have the same feat: the nobility of your nation might all have the Mounted Combatant feat and proficiency in the Animal Handling skill because they have a strong tradition of racing, jousting, and playing equestrian games like polo, but commoners might not. If your nation worships a God of War, then your clerics may have the Warcaster feat as a part of their basic training. This shouldn't be seen as a limitation, but simply another way to think of the way this feature operates. Dragonborn Dragonborn are the product of a deliberate attempt to strengthen the Blood of the Dragon (or, in theory, other draconic bloodlines) via ritual. Five hundred years ago the chieftain of one of the Northern tribes became the first known Dragonborn, but the tribe was assaulted by a dragon until the chieftain and his family were offered as a sacrifice. It's not clear why, but while dragons tolerate (even enjoy) humans with draconic ancestry, they treat Dragonborn as abominations. As such, any nation with any significant Dragonborn population would have to remain isolated enough to avoid the notice of dragons or risk total destruction. Most nations would not allow Dragonborn to reside within their borders for fear of an attack. Dragonborn characters are not disallowed, but justifying a Dragonborn character given these circumstances might prove challenging. Goblinoids The goblinoid races represent distinct castes of a single eusocial species. Hobgoblins and bugbears are always male, goblins are always female. A goblinoid "nation" can form under the leadership of a "Matriarch", though how and why this can happen is a mystery to most, and may be a plot point. If a player has a strong interest in playing a goblinoid nation, let me know and I'll forward more information on their society and lifecycle. Otherwise I'll leave it as a mystery. Subterranean Peoples Races and Subraces from deep underground such as Drow, Duergar and Snifel Snivel Deep Gnomes exist in this setting, but it strikes me as unlikely an Underdark nation would involve itself in a war on the surface. Not explicitly off limits, but I'm skeptical. Classes Most classes, subclasses, and other options from official published sources are allowed. Options from official but yet-to-be-published sources like Unearthed Arcana may be allowed on a case-by-case basis (check with me). Most of the classes function the same in this game world as they do in the rest of the Dungeons and Dragons multiverse, with exceptions noted below.   Sorcerers The rarity of sorcerous bloodlines and the exception to that rule in Lorana is a major plot point: as such the nations you submit shouldn't be in a similar situation, with a common source of freely available magical power. Characters who are sorcerers are fine, but it shouldn't be a major feature of your nation. Wizards Wizards that are sent to the frontlines at level 1 instead of being trained up to level 5 where they can operate as living artillery are most likely there because the situation is desperate, and the commanders of the Compact know Lorne is ready to make his move and there's no more time. This is entirely plausible, but it adds a particular flavor to the roleplay: our characters would know that an attack is immanent, or would at least know the men in charge believe it is. Clerics You're likely creating your own nation and culture from scratch, which gives you significant leeway when it comes to what Gods your Clerics serve. You don't have to name your entire pantheon, but if your character is a Cleric you should at least detail the God they worship. The major faiths of both Belvard and Eaverwoll did not increase recruitment and training of Clerics to respond to the threat of Loranian sorcerers for theological reasons, leaving the war mostly one between Sorcerers on one side and Wizards on the other. The faith or faiths of your nation may have chosen differently, but the nations most of your PCs hail from are too small to make a major impact in this way. Applications Every player will begin the game playing a first level character. I'll warn you right now: do not get too attached to them; this is a highly lethal campaign, and it will feel like war. The good news is, your characters are not alone in the trenches, and you begin the game surrounded by relatively nameless faceless NPCs, any of which can become a new player character for you on the next round of combat if you die. After the first few encounters the game should become less dangerous for you as your characters very quickly gain levels (dead men take no exp), and depending on your choices, might see your characters moving from the frontlines and trenches to missions more suitable to your growing skills. Your application should include: Name Race Include Subrace if applicable Class Include Subclass if applicable at level 1 Background Alignment Evil characters should be Lawful. Chaotic characters should be Good. No other restrictions. Personality Keep it brief. Appearance Brief. If you'd like to include a picture it's welcome, but not necessary History Brief. Should include information on how the character was selected for the Trenches (lottery, volunteer, punishment, mercenary, etc) Nation and City of Origin See below Loved Ones Just names and relationship. Can include very close friends. Because of the deadly nature of the early stages of his campaign, I expect less in the way of a background and personality than I would normally. For personality, a few key traits that give me an idea how they behave. For Background, a paragraph describing their early life and how they were selected for the trenches. As first level characters, you have basic training but have never been in real combat, and your background should reflect that. I expect these characters to grow organically over the course of the adventure. Assuming they survive. Your characters can come from any of the nations outlined in the History laid out above, but my preference would be that each of you come up with your own small nation, a member of the Aegis Compact. If you choose this option, your application should include basic information about your character's nation: Name Population Keep it below 200,000. These nations are minor powers. It could be a single densely populated city-state or a more rural agrarian nation. Government I expect most will use a variant of a feudal or imperial system, but I'm not putting any hard limits here. Leader Head of State or closest thing to it. Capital The city from which the government operates. For a city-state, this will be the same as the nation itself Demographics Just break it down by percentiles. Remember, Humans, Elves, Dwarves and Halflings make up the bulk of the world and your demographics should probably reflect that. Don't be afraid to list "Other" for tiny minorities. Culture A paragraph that covers their values, social structure, religion and other details you feel are relevant History A paragraph that should cover the nation's founding, their relationship with Belvard and Eaverwoll (the major local powers), and how they came to join the Aegis Concord Other Notes I'm looking for 6-8 players. I like a robust post rate. I'll make my final decision Friday, November 9th. If interest slows I may decide sooner, in which case I'll give 24 hours notice so anyone still interested can climb aboard Example Application Verdania Verdania Population ~50,000 Goverment Confederation of Townships. Voting Rights for Landowners. Leader James "Jimmy" Bibbs is the Mayor of Somnervale and presides over the Joining. Power is decentralized, with each town having a Mayor, usually whoever owns the most land Capital Somnervale Demographics 85% Halflings, 10% Humans, 5% Others Culture A peaceful agrarian culture, Verdania values prosperity and plenty, producing food well in excess of the needs of their population. They worship a simple pantheon of six gods and six goddesses, with a spattering of minor local deities. Spellcasters are mostly limited to clerics and the occasional druid. Good fortune is seen as a blessing by the Gods, and differences are often settled by games of dice or cards. History The Joinings of the Halfling tribes of Verdania date back at least as far as written record, when the chieftains of the scattered villages would meet in Somnervale every twelve years to air grievances against each other and settle their differences with games of skill or chance. The tradition continues to this day, with landowning halflings coming together by the hundreds in Somnervale every twelfth year to govern, game and gamble. Verdania generally remained neutral during the squabbles between Belvard and Eaverwoll, exporting food to both nations. An emergency Joining was called as the aggression of Lorana approached their borders, and the decision to join the Aegis Compact was debated for days, with land (and the voting rights it granted) changing hands over dice, cards, footraces, boardgames and more. Eventually those against the Compact were dispossessed or convinced to relent, and they signed the treaty of mutual defense mere months before the invasion. It was well worth it: the support of their allies has stalled Lorne's armies not far from their border for four years now. But how much longer can they hold out? Yarkin Yarkin Nuk Race Halfling (Lightfoot) Class Rogue Background Folk Hero Alignment Chaotic Good Personality Yarkin seems full of himself but hides his true cowardice with bravado. He's good at heart, and he hopes he doesn't let his people down. Appearance Tall for a halfling and lean for a Verdanian, Yarkin has muddy brown hair and a patchy beard. History Yarkin left Verdania at a young age and returned years later with fantastic stories, mostly fiction, about his heroic deeds and grand victories. When his name was pulled from the lottery to go to the trenches a cheer erupted from the crowd. Who better than to protect their home than their hero, Yarkin Nuk? Nation and City of Origin Muddsdale, Verdania Loved Ones Lara Nuk (Mother) Lana and Sessa Nuk (Sisters)

[Berith]

Carwold Name: Carwold Population: 33,000 Government: Mixed theocratic/mercantile Leader: Priest-Queen Aneirin Vahal, Council Capital: High Carwold Demographics: Humans (80%), Half-Elves (10%), Elves (5%), Other (5%) Culture: A fairly isolated island city-state, known for exotic hardwoods and hard bargains. The Carwoldan tend to be pragmatic, talkative, and ambitious. Carwoldan society is undergoing a period of transition, where the historic religious domination of society has been diminishing for three generations. Artisans of many persuasions crave Carwoldan woods, and the culture has been leavened with influences from many other locales. History: Ages ago, Carwold was the center of a maritime empire.

Semaj Name: Semaj Buruk Race: Aasimar (Fallen) Class: Fighter (then Celestial Warlock) Alignment: Lawful Neutral Personality: Aloof and dour, but steadfast. A loyal friend and implacable foe. Appearance: Strong, lithe, and fair-skinned. Semaj is attractive and cultured, but in a cool, remote way. Background: Inheritor Nation/City of Origin: High Carwold Loved Ones: History:

[Vislands]

Ohoho, color me interested. Will you be allowing the artificer?

[ParzivalFair]

I love the grinder concept. Count me in.

Regalia Name: Regalia Population: 41,000 Government: Theocratic/Bureaucratic Leader: The Sainted King; the Disciples Capital: Regalia Demographics: Humans (50%), Half-Elves (20%), Halflings (10%), Dwarves (10%), Goblinoids (5%), Other (5%) Culture: An isolated city-state in mountain fortress. Largely populated by religious devotees to the Sainted King. History: Fifty years ago, a young man was blessed with celestial power. He took up the mantle of the Saint and quickly amassed a following. He then led that following into a mountain range bordering Verdania and Belvard, where his celestial patron had revealed to him an ancient fortified city, abandoned to time. Since then, the city has only grown under the hand of the Sainted King and his Disciples, which act as bureaucrats that tend to the day to day affairs of the city. Of note is the elite guard known as Heaven's Shield, a group of warriors who have mastered the use of the shield in combat in order to better protect their King. Now, with the Mad King's armies only a scant few days' march from Regalia, the Sainted King has joined the Aegis Compact and sends his warriors to bolster the front.

Rowan   Name: Rowan Highwall Race: Variant Human (Shield Master) Class: Fighter (Battle Master) Alignment: Lawful Good Personality: Loyal and steadfast. Devoted to the Sainted King and the betterment of the world. Appearance: Dark of hair and eye, fair complexion. Tall and built like a brick wall. Background: Soldier Nation/City of Origin: Regalia Loved Ones: Alder Highwall (father, deceased), Laurel Highwall (mother, a Disciple) Ash Highwall (older brother, Heaven's Shield member), Aspen Highwall (younger sister, a Disciple) Bio: Born the middle child, Rowan's mother, Laurel, was one of the Sainted King's first Disciples, while his father, Alder, was the original Heaven's Shield commander. Trained from a young age to be a warrior, Rowan planned to follow in his father and brother's footsteps in becoming a member of Heaven's Shield. But with Lorne's war spreading across the land like a blight, Rowan was unable to complete his training, instead being sent with a contingent of warriors to wage war. This is how he finds himself on the front.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Vislands

Ohoho, color me interested. Will you be allowing the artificer?

You'll have to answer questions about why that form of magic is isolated to your nation (or perhaps your character is the first and only artificer?) but if you think you can do that convincingly I don't hate the idea.

[Phil]

Oof, just realized I made an error in my first post guys: I will need a personal history (albeit brief) of your characters. I've altered the OP to fix this.

I have a sample application in a spoiler button at the bottom of the first post which includes the basics of what I'd like to see.

[Iffritstorm]

Berizzi Name: Berizzi Population: 180,000 Government: Imperial Family puppeted by merchant class Leader: Emperor Etticas ; Doge Challando Capital: Berizzi Demographics: Humans (95%), Elves (3%), Half Elves (1%), Other (1%) Culture: Berizzi is a coastal city, and the merchant clans have made good use of the sea to build up their wealth and power. The city is highly polarized with a huge disparity between the high and low classes. Berizzians venerate a single deity named "Ador", said to have once been a mortal man. As a result, Berizzians are often racially prejudiced against non-human races. Oddly, Ador does not show himself in the way of other pagan deities, leading to a scarcity of Clerics in Berizzi. The study of magic, however, is a luxury only the wealthy can afford. It is a symbol of great prestige and status. History: Nominally, the Berizzians pride themselves on their vast and storied empire. It spanned continents and brought mighty warlords to their knees... centuries ago. Now, the attrition of ages has reduced the proud people of Berizzi to a single beautiful yet empty city. Generations of war has drained the coffers of the Imperial Treasury, which now pays enormous debts to the city's powerful merchant families. The common folk are mired in crime and piracy while the wealthy watch the city crumble into forgotten memories. Berizzi considers the great nations of Belvard and Eaverwoll to be its foremost trading partners, without which the city surely would have crumbled into nothingness. The trade fleets have slowed significantly in recent years, however, leading the Doge to consider carefully what Berizzi must do on a world stage. In a move which the other merchant families called "preposterous" and "foolhardy", Doge Challando signed the Aegis Compact, formalizing the alliance between Berizzi and the two powers. Now that war has been declared, and the merchant fleets are conscripted for the Imperial navy, many of the merchant families are leaving the city. Poor and humiliated, the Doge will nevertheless honor the Pact.

Felix Name: Felix Valencci Race: Human Class: Rogue Alignment: Chaotic Good Personality: Felix is a gentle soul, and rather cowardly. He would much prefer to talk his way out of problems than swing a sword. Appearance: Lanky and small, Felix is usually covered in a bit of dirt. His dark curly hair is a mop upon a piercing gaze and knife-jaw. Background: Criminal. Felix was a smuggler working for the Derrio Family aboard a merchant ship. When the ship and all aboard were conscripted into the navy, Felix had no time to escape. Nation: Berizzi Loved Ones: Adeleide and Zara (Sisters), Devon, Leonardo, and Sciprio (Brothers)

[Dorack]

Danered's Ring Danered's Ring Population 0 (2000 at its peak) Government Mining Outpost, currently destroyed Leader Thane Bruin Hammerfist, supervised by Elder's Council (all presumed dead) Capital Politically dependent on Craghold, allied to other Dwarf holds. Demographics 85% Dwarfs, 10% Humans, 5% Others History Danered's Ring was a prosperous mining outpost, located in a meteor crater whose edges acted like natural walls. The strange metals from the meteorite attracted many mining clans from Craghold and other dwarf kingdoms, as well as a few humans and other races. While rich, Danered's Ring was fully dependent on Craghold for living supplies as well as for defense, having but a small (but well organized) militia. When the Iron Tide reached it, it's walls and its stalwart defenders were overrun and Danered's Ring was razed to the ground. It's inhabitants, killed to the last children for daring to defy the northern invaders. Culture Danered's Ring was not a very colorful place. Business and practicality came first. The different mining clans compete with each other in stonemasonry, giving the place some truly wonderful stone buildings and statues. Its most renowned building was the Ancestor's Shrine, built in a natural cavern that the miners enlarged and embellished. Travelers were not welcomed, except, at the height of spring and fall, when two big markets sprang to life as many dwarfs came to trade, marry and celebrate.

Kullgaz Kullgaz (dwarven for no-name) Race Dwarf Class Barbarian Background Soldier Alignment Formerly lawful good, spiralling towards chaotic neutral History Kullgaz was once called Drein of Clan Hillzran, but that is but a distant memory now. Raised amidst a mining clan, nothing made Drein stand apart from his kin. As a miner, he was strong and burly. As a dwarf, he liked drinking, singing stories and keeping with the dwarven way of life. He did volunteer for the hold's militia and was skilled at arms for it. Fate had him away to the south, trading with other holds, when the Mad King razed his home. When he heard that none of his kin had survived, something inside the young Dwarf snapped. He went into a frenzied rage that lasted a fortnight, restrained in chains by the people of the trading caravan. When he finally regained his senses, he undertook and ancient and solemn dwarven oath of revenge. He burned all his possessions but his weapons and a few rags, shaved his head, colored his hair and beard and tattooed his body. Forsaking his name, for he was no longer worthy of it, he called himself Kullgaz, meaning not-named in the dwarven tongue. Personality Kullgaz is tormented by the guilt of failing to protect his family. He only seeks revenge, to die in battle killing as many enemies as he possibly can. As a dead-dwarf-walking, Kullgaz is silent, sullen and keeps to himself. His eyes are full of deep sorrow that become deranged, feral-looking in combat. Appearance Kullgaz is a burly dwarf, his miner's arms and torso plain for all to see. He dresses with naught but a ragged trouser and seems impervious to the weather or rain. His elaborate tattoos speak of doom and death, making him quite a frightening figure that most people stay away from. Nation and City of Origin Danered's Ring, of the Craghold realm. Loved Ones Friends and family, all presumed dead.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Dorack

Question: if the characters home realm was utterly destroyed early in the war, would you like me to develop it as well?

Yes please.

[Dorack]

Understood. Will get to it.

[Phil]

If this helps get anyone's creative juices going, here's a work-in-progress map of the setting. The campaign begins on the border of Verdania and Lorana, just North of Muddsdale. You can see there's plenty of room for minor nations to fill in between Belvard and Eaverwoll, in the mountains to the South of Belvard and the coastal cliffsides North of Eaverwoll, and on various islands in the sea.

[ParzivalFair]

Alrighty, I think both Regalia and Rowan are done. Feedback appreciated.

[Solitaire64]

Hi, I'm thinking of bringing a ranger. For favored enemies, am I correct that goblinoids count as one species? If yes, I'm not sure which second humanoid species I could/should select. Can you give any hints?

Looking at the map, the terrain looks like the opposite of flat. Is it more appropriate to describe that part of the continent as hilly or mountainous? I ask because I would need to select a favored terrain and much of the map appears to be mountains. If they aren't mountains, what would best describe the most common 'wilderness' terrain of western Verdania and southern Lorana?

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Solitaire64

Hi, I'm thinking of bringing a ranger. For favored enemies, am I correct that goblinoids count as one species? If yes, I'm not sure which second humanoid species I could/should select. Can you give any hints?

Looking at the map, the terrain looks like the opposite of flat. Is it more appropriate to describe that part of the continent as hilly or mountainous? I ask because I would need to select a favored terrain and much of the map appears to be mountains. If they aren't mountains, what would best describe the most common 'wilderness' terrain of western Verdania and southern Lorana?

Yes, "Goblinoid" would be a valid favored enemy type, and would work on any goblinoid caste. They're all members of the same species in this setting. It's a solid choice: many goblinoid warrens have allied themselves with Lorana. As for your other choice "human" is also a valid option.

The terrain where you're initially deployed would be considered "grassland". Where you go from there is unknown. Armies tend to march through flat, even terrain, so an ability to quickly navigate through mountains could allow you to get ahead of an advancing force.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by ParzivalFair

Alrighty, I think both Regalia and Rowan are done. Feedback appreciated.

Looks good. I have a few questions:
Did the Sainted King originate in Belvard? Do you think his patron is one of the Belvardian pantheon or a different entity? Note that I haven't fleshed out Belvard's religion entirely, so there's room to fit it in either way. Did the Sainted King face persecution in Belvard, or did he and his people leave peacefully?