[D&D-5e] Ravnica: Precious Balance

[ImpInTraining]

Game Name Ravnica: Precious Balance Modules: Krenko's Way (1st level), A Zib for Your Thoughts (2nd level), possibly more to follow

Dungeon Manster ImpInTraining

Edition/Setting D&D 5th Edition - Ravnica Campaign Special campaign setting limitations on races applies. More info below.

Description From deep catacombs to sky-raking spires, Ravnica is covered in countless layers constructed over thousands of years. Lofty cathedrals, hulking courthouses, towering apartments, sprawling tenements, and cobblestone plazas spread as far as the eye can see. In this teeming cosmopolis, ten guilds vie for power, wealth, and influence, held in an uneasy peace by a magical force called the Guildpact. But the Guildpact doesn't prevent the intrigue, subterfuge, and politcal machinations that are a hallmark of life in Ravnica. And now the Guildpact is gone, or seems to be. What chaos might erupt if the ambition and rivalry of the guilds goes unchecked? It's up to you to choose your guild and shape the future of Ravnica.

Characters Looking for 4 to 6 players willing to post every other day at a minimum. The party will have to work together for the adventures, but they may have ulterior motives as assigned by their guilds as things go on. I won't say you can't play an evil character... but you must keep in mind that IC actions = IC consequences. Sourcebooks that will be accepted for character creation : PHP, DMG, Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica (GGtR), and Xanathar's Guide to Everything (XGtE). You do not need these books to play, I am willing to assist even the most novice player. Certain House Rules apply, and may be added in the future. But for the most part, mechanically the game rules will be followed quite literally. Races in the PHB are limited to Elves (high, wood, dark), Half-elves (a bit rare), and Humans. Other races defined in GGtR are: Centaurs, Goblins, Loxodons, Minotaurs, Simic Hybrids, and Vedalken. Races, guilds, currency, calendar and other campaign unique info is provided here. If you have played or ran either of the modules listed above, you might do better to opt out of this. Characters will be created within private folders within the game. No need to post premade characters prior to acceptance. Instead, Interested players are asked to interact with the following post with a generic level 0 character accustomed to living in the hustle-and-bustle of a large city. If more than six people interact, I will make a judgement call to decide who is accepted. *note* this is in no way intended to be your prospective character for the game. It is just so you can show your role-playing / writing ability.

Show Your Interest Here By Participating Midday in Precinct One is set into chaotic turmoil at a busy intersection of Plaza West is clogged by an overturned wagon halting much of the traffic in all directions. Angry businessmen in waiting wagons shake their fist and call out vulgar expletives and curses at the prospect of running late for their meetings. At the offending wagon, an elderly couple are picking themselves off the ground, their lives' belongings sprawled out across the road. Their horses have broken free and trot off at a near gallop from all the anxiety. Luckily, the nightclubs are still closed in this section, but restaurants are bustling with activity with the lunch crowd and many of them file out to see what all the ruckus is about.

[GallupsMirror]

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Update: Withdrawing from consideration. Best of luck everyone.

[delpinator]

You see a half elf with brown hair running towards the horses. He is wearing green armor embossed with leaf patterns. He is walking through the town seemingly minding his own business before seeing the accident.

"I'll be right back with those horses you take care" he waves towards the elderly couple. Why did they let these couples drive. I need to get to the horses before they cause further harm to themselves or others.

[Abwinningh42]

Sample Post “Look, Finnus, we have some entertainment,” Aggamo sneered, his voice tinted with malicious glee. The man was dressed in decadent finery, complete with exotic furs and richly dyed fabrics. His slender fingers tinkled as he pointed towards the overturned cart, his many jeweled rings clacking together. Aggamo was sickeningly wealthy, and he had inherited it all, his spoiled attitude and ill will were bountiful. The table before the men was covered in delicacies and rich staples; large roasts, fish and fowl perfectly cooked and seasoned, the freshest exotic meats and fruits, even some powdered sugar covered pasties. The feast could feed an entire family. “I don’t understand why you’re so cruel,” Finnus jabbed at his friend, his elvish brow arched gracefully, but he laughed at the misfortune of the poor elderly couple anyhow. “Oh, you’re no fun!” Aggamo chucked and pointed a finger at Finnus, before pulling the leg of a large roasted bird and taking a messy bite. For someone so rich he had little manners. Grease and juice flowed down his chin as he looked back at the traffic obstruction. “Look at them, the lesser, the poor. Insects, I tell you.” He grunted and took a deep drink of the dark wine in his goblet. “If it were up to me, we’d have a culling,” a disgusted sneer creased his face. He was over the entertainment now, and turned his mind to other baser needs.

Looks like an interesting game!!

[Onward]

Lady Creampuff As the overturn wagon blocks the path for other wagons and carriages to cross, this causes heavy traffic. One carriage in particular carries a noble woman wearing a fine white dress with a puffy ball designed on her shoulder. This strange looking noblewoman taps her finger at the doorway with impatience,"Jared, why have we stalled." she asks, her fury hidden but definitely their in contempt, poor Jared the driver knows this feeling well and tries to explain to avoid her lady's wrath,"Well, you see milady, their appears to...!!" he tries to say but was interrupted by his liege,"Enough, I have no time for your bungling, I need to be at the bank soon to clear out that loan quick. Papa's pastry business depends on it and this stalling peasant traffic won't stop me. So I shall take my leave, good day to you good sir." she declares and opens the doorway, making a run for it to the bank. However, she was curious when she found the source of this traffic, a couple of elderly trying to pick up their meager belongings after an accident. She felt sad for them and decided to approach the couple,"Hello their, I am Lady Cannoli Creampuff of Pastry's Delight, it seems you've caught yourself in a heap of trouble." she says, the strangely dress pastry chef then picks up one of the belongings,"Be grateful, for I have arrived to help you in your situation. If theirs anything heavy, let me carry it. I'll do what I can to help you." she says, sticking by to help out despite the minutes passing by before the bank closes.

Question, do we applicants see each other character wise.

[ImpInTraining]

Originally Posted by GallupsMirror

Posting interest.

Glad to see you are interested. Try to follow suit with the other interested players.

[ImpInTraining]

Originally Posted by Onward

Question, do we applicants see each other character wise.

Sure, nothing was spoken secretly. If you wish to be within earshot, so be it.

elderly couple The man, long, gray hair a mess because his cap fell off and was snatched up by a street rat orphan, was scrambling to grab his most precious items as quickly as possible. To look at them, you wouldn't appraise the whole of the load for five zino, tops. "Thank you, kind sir!" he calls off to the half elf that took chase to the runaway steed. The plump, gray woman had taken a hard landing and was favoring her left hip as she was scooping up apples that were rolling free across the cobblestone road and placing them into the basket from which they had escaped. "Oh, my dear lady... you are very kind. Nothing is too heavy, but we do appreciate the help!"

[PalladiaMors]

Traffic's a beast The noise of carriages colliding drew the attention of many people. Lots of gawkers, lots yelling angrily, a few looking to see how they could take advantage of the situation. It wasn't long though before a large loxodon started stomping his way towards the scene, using his size to ensure that onlookers got out of the way. He was dressed in the clothes of a craftsman, with an oversized leather apron hanging over his front. A pin bearing a green, branched tree on a white background on his work apron marked him as at least an ally of the Selesnya guild, though it could simply mean he had done them a favor. "Are you folks alright?" he rumbled as he made his way through the crowd. "Looks like your wagon sprung a wheel, here, let me help," he offered, using his great size and strength to upend the cart and set it right. He starts to drag the cart off the road and to the side to help get it out of the way, grunting as he did despite his strength. "I'm a smith, not a... umph carpenter, but I can probably get it fixed up enough for you to get an expert to have a look," he offers, dusting his hands off on his apron. Though he didn't arrive in time to hear the woman in white announce her name or position, he does give her a respectful nod of appreciation for her efforts. It's a surprise, but a pleasant one, to see someone of such obvious standing stopping to help the commoners. The sort of thing that should make the beleaguered city proud.

[Dechado]

Philosophical Bystander Being a self proclaimed practitioner of Hedonism, as soon as you see the ruckus about, you decide this isn’t for you and quickly turn around to find something else to waste your time on until the most popular nightclubs open. You give a pitiful glance to the elders on the street and decide to move on. But then, something doesn’t allow you to continue walking. You just stand there for a few seconds, there’s nothing physical keeping you in place. You let out a loud groan, although it is mostly drowned by the incessant yelling and shouting of the different people complaining at the poor couple. “Fine!” You threw your hands in the air, being heard by whoever was nearby. And stomping as loud as your body allowed, you moved yourself to help as well. Thankfully, many others had had similar ideas, and the elderly were already being helped. "I'm a smith, not a... umph carpenter, but I can probably get it fixed up enough for you to get an expert to have a look," You heard the giant creature. That sounded like your queue to approach. “Sure” you chimed in “Lemme see if I can help you move it somewhere so the people behind stop complaining. I’m getting a headache by the minute” “Bad time to lose a wheel, isn’t it?” You tried to continue the conversation going with an ice-breaker. “With the amount of carriage you have, I can only assume you’re either coming to town, or leaving it. And for everyone’s sake, I do hope it is the latter. This place is quickly going to sh-…” Something stopped you again from finishing your sentence. Not the best of times to build a conscience, but you’ll take it “Ehem, city’s seen better days. Probably” Hedonist, Cynical, and somehow still able to lend a hand to a pair of strangers on the street. Was this a good action? Or you were merely wanting to move on and find a place to rest from the migraine you felt coming? Whatever it was, the elders seemed thankful for the assistance they were getting. It made you feel fussy inside. Now you wanted to vomit. Better hurry it up. Being a goodie two shoes definitely wasn’t your style.

[ImpInTraining]

We still have room for one more player. I accept all those who participated thus far. I will be making some private areas for each of you so we can hash out your character creation details. Thank you for your participation and interest.

Chaos in the Streets As the old couple began to feel their heart lift with hope and happiness that there were still decent folk in the 10th District, a half-elf still gave valiant chase to two horses tethered together galloping down the streets, uncontrolled. They overturned a street vender's cart, nearly trampled a child crossing the road, and left a trail of mayhem in their wake. A centaur rode up along them and grabbed their lose reins, tugging on them and saying "Whoa, there! Easy my friends... There is nothing to be so fretful about." The horses slowed to a trot, and then stop altogether. "Here you go, sir," the centaur said to the half-elf.

[delpinator]

"Thank you. "The half elf smiles taking the reins. I'm sorry they caused do much damage. "I'll make sure they get home."

He then pauses. " I don't believe I got your name. "

[Nyx89]

A petite, young human woman is walking along the street when she notices the commotion surrounding the overturned wagon. Long, blonde hair frames delicate features and inquisitive green eyes. Although it looks as if several people have already stopped to help the couple, she decides to push her way through to them anyway to make sure they're not hurt. In the distance, she notices a half-elf and a centaur wrangling the elderly couple's horses back under control.

"Oh dear," says the young woman, her face turning sorrowful. "Here, let me help you gather your things. Are you sure you're both all right?"

The young woman bends down and starts gathering some of the items that have sprawled all over the road. When she rises, she nods with appreciation at the loxodon who had righted the cart. She can't help but stare curiously at the woman in white. Her finery marks her as some sort of nobility perhaps. The young woman wrinkles her nose in distaste, but at least this one seemed to actually care about what happened to regular folks. Finally, she notices a skittish, strange man who keeps babbling on; she hasn't caught half of what he's said. There are all sorts of strange people in the city, but this one seems stranger than most. She gives him a wide berth.

[ImpInTraining]

Thank you, Nyx89 - that fills the party and we will be closing applications at this time.

Wrapping It Up The departing centaur either did not hear the question, or blatantly ignored it. Maybe he simply didn't want to be seen associating with a half-elf. Hard to say. In short order, the wagon is right-sided, re-wheeled (at least temporarily), and belongings gathered up. With gratitude the elderly couple give thanks to all that assisted and promise to convince their sons and daughters to name children after them.

[FatherDondo]

I had a concept for a mute, simic caster. My initial idea was he was so aquatically adapted he can't speak in the open air, and he would message to talk or use some kind of telepathic feat, but since there's half a handful of spells anywhere that don't use verbal components, I was wondering if the act of trying to speak, moving his vocal chords, would be enough for verbal components, and to abide by mechanics, say that putting a gag over his face would disrupt the acoustics inside his head enough that he couldn't cast. Does that sound feasibly doable?

[ImpInTraining]

Really a GM call, but in my opinion, Verbal components require speaking words or sounds of power. If you are incapable of making those sounds, you can't use that spell. It's the same as if someone threw a silence spell on a wizard, severely limits which spells he can use.

What I would suggest, in this setting under those conditions, a mechanical or magical voice box would not be too far fetched to pitch in Ravnica. At this time, I'm not seeking any players though, so I hope you find an opportunity eventually to further develop this character idea.