Session Zero

Let's build out how we want to play together!

I am good to play whatever, I have some interest in ranger or Rouge for this but open to fill gaps

I am a druid or fighter. Whatever fits better 😁

I am thinking of a wizard. :)

How do we want to do this? Free Feat? Magic Item(s) ? Flanking Rules? 😁

Edit: Love the Stars and Wishes. Thanks!

Glad to hear you like the stars and wishes! It sounds like you guys are already covering different bases so that's great. Even if you overlap or pick the same ones, I think you guys can be creative enough with your Lego builds to get around any problems that could arise.

Still learning, but here are my thoughts about your questions:

Free Feat - We are making Level 5 characters so if you are asking if you can have a starting feat in addition to the feat you can take from passing Level 4, I think it may make you all a little OP. If you think it makes it more fun though, I can put it up to a vote if everyone wants that option.

Magic Items - I'm going to say no for that one since you may be getting quite a few items in the adventure if you keep a sharp eye out and you can build something if you need an extra tool. If you really want it though and can argue for it, we can negotiate. :)

Flanking - I am not planning to use maps for this one-shot, but if you want to describe in a battle how you flank an enemy and it makes sense, I will allow it. Example: A goblin attempts to hit me, the wizard, but misses and our rogue sneaks behind and wants to flank attack.

Just to review, we are building Level 5 characters with character creation content from Player's Handbook, Tasha's, and Xanathar's. You may use whatever template you like, but the standard Dungeons & Dragons 5th character template or Level Up Advanced 5e template may be useful to remind you if you have inspiration available.

Do you have any qualms going with a flying race?

I'm open to playing pretty much whatever, I'm thinking my best way to be most different from all other choices is Bard, Cleric, Monk or Paladin but if someone else wants to claim any of those go right ahead I do my best creative work limiting my workspace.

Took me a bit but figured out we can choose from the standard Races from the PHB (Dragonborn, Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Halfling, Human and Tiefling) and the oodles of class options available from the other two sources.

Regarding class selection, I'm not super fussed and as I'm last to post will just fill in the blank once everyone else makes their final choice. With all the class options available and starting at level 5 it should be pretty interesting.

Ok so here is going to be my selection

Tiefling Soul Knife Rouge.

Sorry, had to do a bit of research. If you want to play a flying race, I'm OK with that since you guys have the ability to take flying spells as well. You guys can also multiclass if you like.

For stats, your choice to roll or go with standard array. If you would like to roll, please do so here in Session Zero. If you don’t like the results of your rolls here, you may opt to choose standard array instead. Please let me know if you have any questions about rolling for stats.

Roll straight or roll then assign? I am assuming roll then assign but just being sure

Edit: it looks like it is in sword coast adventuring guide but could I go winged tiefling?

Just to confirm about rolling, it's 4d6, dropping the lowest?

Okay. Thanks. :)

For a wizard the most important question of all: how much money do we get for our characters?
As spells are my most important class feature, and spells equals money, please be generous. ;D
Please let us vote. I really enjoy this free feat, as I have played 5e so often that a little change and a path away from the strict class-abilities to a more self-determined character build is very welcome. :)
Well maps are always gold, but if you want to do it Theater of the Mind-style that's also good. But I've to warn you: I will have to ask most of the time before casting an area of effect spell (fireball!!! grease, web, ...) if there is no map, as I don't know how fare anybody is, or where my allies are positioned exactly. DnD is game designed for mini-maps in my mind. (Therefore all the excact distance information in the texts, especially the spells)
Well in this case the rogue would have had Adv in any case, as he is a hidden attacker. ;)
I personally love the flanking-rules as they provide a faster combat through fewer misses. In this case, as a wizard, I am okay playing without them, just wanted to check.


@everybody>
Atm I am tinking of an human/custom lineage order of the scribe wizard with the classic sage background. :)
So history, arcana & investigation is taken care of. Please provide meatshield(s) and skill-monkey(s). *g*

Excellent question! Max starting gold X 5 for fifth Level?

I think I've decided on Paladin, Gnomish Paladin to be specific not sure what exactly I have in mind for characterization yet but I'll get there when I get there.
As always if someone wants to play a Paladin feel free to boot me from the role, I don't mind coming up with something else.

Stats

Yes to roll then assign, 4d6 dropping the lowest for stats. If you don't like your rolls, feel free to opt for standard array instead.

Since Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide is a supplement to PHB, you can go with winged tiefling if you like.

OK, I will take making maps for our one-shot into consideration.

From what I understood from the rules, there has to be at least 2 players on opposite sides of an enemy within 5 feet doing melee attacks for flanking to work. If this is incorrect, please let me know!

Starting gold can be as listed in the Dungeon Master's Guide, 500 gold plus I'll allow max on the 1d10 × 25 gold: 750 gold

All right, let's put adding free feat up to vote!

Stats Roll!

....guess it's Standard Array time! :P

Stat roll for my Druid

They see me rollin'...

Edit: point buy it is

@KoldikSteelskin Don't forget to update starting gold to 750 and to equip your starting equipment.

If it helps with roleplaying, you can assume that the townspeople enticed you to come with a gold advance and you came with standard equipment you plan to trade in with the gold when you get to the town. Before you guys reach town, you will be stopping at the inn the influential townspeople have asked you to meet at.

Thanks a lot! :D
Completely correct. :)
Always love a good democracy. I casted my vote already. :D

I am so torn on my stats...on one hand. I could have an easy 20 Dex at level 5. On the other, I have two under 10

@quilltid>
How will the building legos skill be implemented? What is the attribute to build a flight of stairs? A catapult? A raft? If someone posses the prof. in smith tools, mason tools, carpenting tools, ... does that help in any way? Could you give us an example, please?

Do you want specialization or versatility? ;)

probably versatility, skill monkey type build (psionic Knack)

I know we're missing one vote, but it seems like majority is good with free feat so go ahead and add that to your character builds!
Flanking rules can be a part of the game. I will keep that in mind for the fights and if maps are included to help you with that.
Yes, good question! You can add one inspiration to your character sheet if you like to remind you that you have a build left. You will get an additional build available with each scene, which will be a new thread to help keep track. Total of six scenes expected if that helps you to plan.

I was thinking that you guys explain what you would like to build and I would let you know what 1d20 roll would be needed for success based on the situation, what you are building, and if you can source your bricks (like it might be difficult to make a catapult if you are in a field with just a tent at your disposal). You can certainly explain in what you are building that you have the tools or proficiency in it, which may lower the number needed to roll a success.

Rolling below the number needed for success would be a failure and you may not get the results you were aiming for. Meeting the number would be a partial success so you get what you wanted, but a complication may pop up. Rolling above the number will be a success and you can describe to the group what successful result occurs!

Please let me know if you think there is a better way to implement this or what would make the builds more fun for you guys.

Example: I would like to build a rickshaw to cart an NPC. DM sets success roll to be 10 and up. I roll a 1d20. Roll 1-9 would result in a failure, which could be something like I end up only having enough bricks to build a unicycle instead. Roll 10 would be a partial success, which could be something like you make your rickshaw but the enemies are inspired to make their own builds and improve their bows to crossbows to chase you. Roll 11-20 would be a success and the DM lets me describe the amazing success I decide on, which is to cart the NPC away and run over one enemy for some damage.

What do we have so far?

- Druid -- Adrasthea
- Paladin -- KoldikSteelskin
- Wizard -- soises
- Ranger / Rogue? -- valdattaMadun

I'm undecided but will come up with something very soon. Maybe a Warlock/Sorcerer or maybe Bard or Fighter???

Yeah going rouge, though still a little bit of fiddling with the build. Probably rouge with Int secondary skill set. Ranged attacker

@KoldikSteelskin Sure, if you'd like to use your gold advance for non-magicked plate armour, that is fine. If you'd like to enter the scene next week on your summoned steed, that is fine too. Quick question, do you want to try riding your steed into the inn or wait to summon it again when you go outside?

Going to build a Warlock. Figure Druid + Paladin should get us by with healing??

What do you think of Pact of the Chain? They have fancy intellegent familiars, sprite, psuedodragon, etc. Do you want to be bothered with dealing with this? Flying and invisible?

I'd Imagine I would stable the Steed, leave it somewhere outside, basically I want to avoid needing to prepare/cast the spell, for as long as I can.

Since we're already allowing flying and summoned steeds, it's fine to take pact of the chain for the warlock. For now, what are you hoping your familiar/pet will be doing in game?
Sounds good!

Before we start next week, the recruitment thread noted some people may be interested in following along. How do you feel if this game is public?

Nothing crazy, I guess. Just thinking about small invisible intellegent scouts, or even ones that that the Warlock could see through. Haven't settled on eldritch invocations.

Certainly, take your time!

And it looks like we are moving this game public as well.

Food for thought until we start, how do your characters know each other? Have you met before or did you bond on the journey to the Inn? Did you become friends, rivals, somebody owes someone else money now?

I will admit, I changed my mind on race. Went with Halfling. Meet Merton, halfling Soulknife

As for why the team got together.

I took sort of an edgelord background "Faceless" but I think he is more trying to get out of that life but keeps getting dragged back in. So maybe met on the road back, Merton is still nervous around people but wants to break his habits and be with more people.

I’ve gone with a Human Warlock (GOO). He used to be a smuggler in a past life.Hindle is more awkward than edgy but the pallor of his skin and the air of shadiness that clings to him puts most normal folk on their guard.

Perhaps Hindle originally knew Merton? Sticking to someone more physically capable with a similarly pragmatic outlook? (Making assumptions) Then the two joined up with the rest of the party to tackle a larger challenge before ending up where we are now?

Maybe Hindle's patron is the same reason Mertob has his psionic abilities? Merton was just more assassin minion wanting out, and Hindle was more spellcasting captain of the forces.

They got paired together, rest is history on their friendship

We’re sounding a bit nefarious. What kind of Paladin are you planning on? 😜

He's an oath of Conquest Paladin and quite frankly he doesn't care about converting people... Or what other people think about him at all, The Devout have enemies and he'll kill them.

Will this be an evil party?

In my mind a LEGO adventure should be lighthearted and fun. Instead it seems to me, that this will be a party of tyrants and murderers. Not something I am looking forward to. :-/

I don't think something in Lego can really go overly dark, I Imagine whatever it is that Derv really hates is something that keeps rebuilding itself making it Impossible for him to actually destroy, and whatever it is is definitely evil, but he won't stop at simply telling someone to be a better person to make the world a better place.

In short I don't think any of the three of us have an "Everything is Awesome" outlook on the world but I don't get the Impression that we're bad guys either,

---

Now I can and will completely remake my character if it makes you uncomfortable I don't want to be the barrier to anyone from enjoying this game.

For context: I decided to lean into what I feel a lego adventure is which is Chaos complete and utter chaos, and probably due to Batman and Lego's I injected a but of Anti-Hero in my character.

I was thinking more a Guardians of the Galaxy feel. Have the edgy backstory but play it not so serious

My personal take on this is "neutral" characters should be "good" at heart. Even if it is reluctant at first, they don't want to be evil. But they have trouble being good.

This is a good time to introduce the lines and veils before we start Scene 1. I have some links you can use to figure out what are your "veils" like it’s ok to happen off-stage and "lines" as in "I do not want even a mention of it in game" such as spiders. You can say what are your lines and veils and I will assume what is not stated will be fine to discuss without limits.

You may post here or DM me if you feel more comfortable. You can also DM me or post anytime if a subject not talked about before is making you feel uncomfortable and I will adjust or let players know what needs to stop/change.

Checklist:
https://www.reddit.com/r/rpghorrorstories/comments/glhs91
/rpg_consent_checklist_redone/#lightbox

Editable form:
https://mcpl.info/sites/default/files/images/consent-in-gaming-form-fillable-checklist-2019-09-13.pdf

I am still planning to keep to the PG to PG-13 themes and humor.

I will work on a background that honors your traits and stories, but still keeps the story fun and light-hearted. You can still be Batman or the Question in the Justice League working for the side of good in your own inimitable way.

Would any of you be against the idea that the Heroes Association Guild (HAG for short) has either hired or sent you to help these townspeople?

Sure, I don’t need a copy of a checklist. This was just a way to bring up ideas or themes for anything you have lines or veils for. If it’s ok, I’m going to assume no limits for you right now, but if there are, you can always post here or DM me what those subjects are.

That's a much better, comparison! Drax is a rather close comparison to Derv actually...
And they just so happen to have very similar names. coincidence?

Haha! Yes, GoG sounds more the way of it. 🙂

Thanks for the consideration. I should be good with anything that comes up. I mean, it is Lego. 😜

Haha! Yes, GoG sounds more the way of it. 🙂

Thanks for the consideration. I should be good with anything that comes up. I mean, it is Lego. 😜

Haha! Yes, GoG sounds more the way of it. 🙂

Thanks for the consideration. I should be good with anything that comes up. I mean, it is Lego. 😜

Okay, that sounds great.😊
Got a different impression. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Looking forward to play with you all.

Bahaha! So was I! Maybe it’s all the frowny Lego heads. 😆 My prompt was "pensive", but it looks more like malevolent… or at least exceedingly grumpy! 🤣

All right, let's get this "Guardians of the Lego Valley" started! I will be setting up Scene 1 today, but feel free to leave more character info or lines and veils info here.

I have been reading this. Rolled stats, check. But I might have seemed to missed the outcome on the free feat discussion?

Yikes. That is... wow

Multiclass paladin/bladesinger it is! ;D

I orinially had an idea for barbarian. But now you mention paladin.... not gonna multi though

Those are some crazy rolls! Feel free to multiclass if you are interested. For feats, it was voted to have both a starting feat as well as the usual feat you gain at level 4. The party is about to level up to level 6 so feel free to make a level 6 character.

Just to review, we are building Level 5 characters with character creation content from Player's Handbook, Tasha's, and Xanathar's. You may use whatever template you like, but the standard Dungeons & Dragons 5th character template or Level Up Advanced 5e template may be useful to remind you if you have inspiration available. Please mark 1 inspiration. You also start with 750 gold so purchase what you need, just no magic items right now.

For the Lego building part, here is what has been hammered out so far:

I was thinking that you guys explain what you would like to build and I would let you know what 1d20 roll would be needed for success based on the situation, what you are building, and if you can source your bricks (like it might be difficult to make a catapult if you are in a field with just a tent at your disposal). You can certainly explain in what you are building that you have the tools or proficiency in it, which may lower the number needed to roll a success.

Rolling below the number needed for success would be a failure and you may not get the results you were aiming for. Meeting the number would be a partial success so you get what you wanted, but a complication may pop up. Rolling above the number will be a success and you can describe to the group what successful result occurs!

Please let me know if you think there is a better way to implement this or what would make the builds more fun for you guys.

Example: I would like to build a rickshaw to cart an NPC. DM sets success roll to be 10 and up. I roll a 1d20. Roll 1-9 would result in a failure, which could be something like I end up only having enough bricks to build a unicycle instead. Roll 10 would be a partial success, which could be something like you make your rickshaw but the enemies are inspired to make their own builds and improve their bows to crossbows to chase you. Roll 11-20 would be a success and the DM lets me describe the amazing success I decide on, which is to cart the NPC away and run over one enemy for some damage.

You can see an example of Merton building something in Scene 1.

Thanks for the explaining. I love the build mechanic! I am interested to see what we could do with that.

Now, I am building my character, but I feel stupid over powered .
Between those idiot rolls, half-elf and one half-feat, I have 3 18s and a 16...

Sometimes it's fun to play a very powerful character and remember, any situation can potentially be resolved without conflict so if you don't feel like fighting, you can attempt an alternative solution. Also, reminder that we are now doing block initiative combat.

As Dhakhan explained: In any case, when it' the party's turn (or a sub-set of the characters) it's first in, best dressed for that initiative block. So if three chars are in an initiative block then who ever posts first, goes first. Each round, the characters' order of action in that intiative block may change.

Character approved! Let me know when you are ready to be introduced into the campaign.

Holy crap!!! Great rolls!!

Don’t worry about it. This is 5e. Everyone is overpowered in one way or another. 😋

Thanks! I am good to jump in. Just give me the sign when I can post

Just to share the full picture with you all

That's really good! I like how the false depth of field was applied. :D

Took me a few rerolls, but all credit go to the AI :)