[CLOSED] Adventures in the World of Nod (5e)

Hi everybody, I am new here and have been looking for a place to run a homebrew campaign I have been working on for some time.

System: D&D 5th edition.
Players: Four Level 3 characters.
Posting frequency: Aiming for 2 posts/week in private game forum
Who can play: Experienced Players, LGBTQ+ friendly.
Themes: Dark Fantasy, Religion, Slavery (Players will have a chance to free them.), Politics, Body Horror, and violence.
Rating: PG-13
How to apply: Please post interest below with a character concept and tell me about your preferred playstyle. I will select players based on what character concepts I feel fit best with the setting and playstyle.


The World of Nod is one that is marked by war and catastrophe. Nod is still recovering from a war that lasted a thousand years. Much of the world is still in ruins and the people are looking for hope. The few small nations across the land are on the verge of another just as rumors of the return of an ancient and mysterious evil begin to spread.

The young queen of Atlas City, Amelia Raziel, has called for mercenaries and adventurer alike to take up the quest for the legendary Guidestones of Nod, relics containing the forgotten history of the world. She believes these are the key unlocking the truth behind the spreading rumors and saving the world from being plunged into another cataclysmic war.

You are one of the brave souls that have come to Atlas City to undertake the Queens quest.

Interesting. A cunning half-elven rogue put away for crimes is looking for a way out. He is willing to do what is needed.

Although I do like games that post faster than 2/week.

I am interested. I am okay with the dark fantasy aspect and the themes presented here, though I hope there's room for negotiation on things that might not have been said.

My concept is of a human fighter (battle master) with a background of a bounty hunter, often operating with a group instead of going solo. This could help establish a connection with at least another character as former or current teammates looking for more work, but it can easily transform into a departure from the previous group and looking to join another. They would definitely jump at the promise of mercenary work, but I like to leave room for the "noble cause" tropes as reasons to keep going.

If I may ask, what sourcebooks and optional rules will be available for play? Curious if feats will be allowed, variant humans, or optional rules from books like Tasha's.

All official 5e sources will be allowed and optional rules from Tasha's are also allowed. Always room to talk over things and discuss them more as group. Feats will be used so the variant Human is fine.

Having privately discussed the material I'd like to use, I'd like to put forward the following character concept:

Marari, a fairy of the Feywild, was not the delicate flower that many of her kin were and that many non-fay perceived her to be. Where many of her kind sought out lives as wizards, druids, bards, warlocks or rogues, she sought a more martial lifestyle. She became a warden of the woods (Ranger Conclave: Primeval Guardian). Unfortunately she was captured and made to perform in a traveling freak show that showcased her as a strongwoman of sorts.

As for preferred playstyle, I've been playing for over 30 years...I find pleasure in just about ever playstyle. Be it combat heavy, social game, infiltration/sabotage/subterfuge, or any combination of these...or pretty much anything else for that matter. I'm just as interested in character development and relationship development with the other PC's.

Interested! I'd need some suggestions where the concept might fit specifically, but based on the idea that many nations are on the brink of another war, I'll pitch a Rogue/Paladin that is a spy for one of these nations, either as an agent of the queen herself to watch over these mercenaries, or maybe a foreign nation sent someone in to make certain this quest isn't about acquiring some sort of weapon.

As for playstyle, I'm pretty go-with-the-flow. I can vibe with pretty much any genre. That said, I typically play characters that aren't really interested in fighting to the death constantly, so I have a tendency to either try circumventing combat or cheesing it if I can. Push enemies off cliffs, suffocate them in a portable hole, that sort of thing. I don't dislike combat, or anything, I just don't like feeling like the characters don't care about combat, if that makes sense.

Besides that, I'm here for the character drama. There really isn't any other reason imo to play TTRPGs. If I just wanted to react to a story or predictable characters, I'd just play a video game. The fun is bouncing off of everyone else's weird quirks. :)

Already liking where this idea could go.

In the name of Cain, Yes!

Askeladd Son of Cain
Cleric of War Eventually Barbarian Zealot

Could you elaborate on the tone of the game a bit more? It's dark fantasy but with a PG-13 rating, so are we thinking something with the feel of, say, The Witcher? Or is this more like Game of Thrones but with all the gore and naughty bits hidden off to the side? Or is the darkness of it more like LOTR, where it's grim but there's a strong sense of heroism? Or maybe it's more like Elden Ring or Bloodborne video games? Any guidance on the tone would be helpful.

Also, what level are you think of hitting by the end? 2 posts per week might mean a good 6 months to a year per level, so I'm curious how huge of a storyline you had in mind.

A mercenary knight from the far East! Ideally a fighter or a paladin!

If not, some weird fire wielder warlock (hexblade/fire druid) of a mercenary company famed for its loyalty

Ciao! Hope you aren't full up already because I'm interested!

I'll pitch a Draconic Sorcerer. His village raided by baddies and he and the remains of his people were captured and used to power some arcane rite. But the dragon, esacped it binding and layed waste to all. Strangely Jax, found himself alive amonst the rubble and ruin and somehow inbued with a strange new power born of of the Dragon. Fire runs in his veins and with this fire he will slay those who wronged his people.

Depending upon group composition, I have a few other concepts I could pull out to try to make a rounded party. Or could run up something new.

I've been doing PbP for 5-6 years; mostly 5e but have played in other systems as well. As for playstyle, I like balance. I do enjoy invest in roleplay, but I also like combat and exploration. I'm not keen on extended administrative roleplay so much though. I haven't played in a game that purposefully posted 2/week, but I'm keen.

Anyway, thanks for the consideration!

Hi

It looks like you may have filled this already, but I will still throw my pitch just in case.

I was involved in a dark fantasy adventure once which folded before we even got started, so I have been looking for another to join and a home brew sounds even better :)

My character concept is for a Monk.
Race: Swiftstride or kenku (though open to race)
Monastic Tradition: Way of Mercy

A member of a traditional group of traveling Healers/Physicians, who look to bring what peace and healing to the world that they can. Character was adopted from a poor farming family, when he showed a natural ability to healing.

Character has been sent to the young Queen as a very promising acolyte, the Order are wishing to contribute to the greater healing of the world.

I have played PbP for approximately 6 years, mainly DnD and CoC but I have dabbled in other rule sets. My play style is pretty flexible and have played in are range of different play styles, saying that my preference is balanced. I love developing a character, solving problems and challenges while enjoying a good fight.

More along the lines of Dragon Age with a bit of the Witcher. 80's style lovecraftian horror and Slayers (Anime) thrown in to mix things up a little. The posting rate can be changed of the group is alright with it.

I be happy with some speed. And yeah. That does make an interesting cross, for a reforming criminal.

Picked 4 of you. Sent out invites.

I guess some of us are on the waiting list.

Might be changing some of my choices if I don't get a response from a couple of my picks.

Woot. Maybe my criminal might fudge his reform. :)

Maybe

Still keen and happy to be on waitlist :)

I'm Sardis' brother and I heard about this game too late to meet the deadline to submit.

Just putting my hat in the ring since this thread isn't closed... I realize the game is full but there's always the chance of a spot opening up due to player attrition.

I have a character drawn up to the games specifications, ready to go.

I just want to bring the glory of the messiah back to Nod where it belongs. I am happy to wait.

Cain lives in death.

Gene has a male half-high elf rogue (Swashbuckler) with a criminal background fairly much ready in waiting. Can he reform? (Trips the others in line and jumps to the lead.)

This is kind of funny to me because I have an NPC Drow named Kain in the setting.

Because of some minor issues with party balance I am adding two more players.

Thanx. Laughs at all the people I tripped.

Reopening recruitment because we lost a player.

I'm still interested!

Are you still going with the same character concept?

If it helps the party... I am good with changing it if not. can have a new character drawn up by tomorrow easily enough.

The group lost their Paladin.

I love Paladins... can do one up!

Awesome. Welcome to the game.

So we lost another player recently and I am looking for a replacement.

The current party is:

Jomsviking; Askellad, Variant Human War Domain Cleric
Appalahi; Qadira, Variant Human Battlemaster fighter
GeneCortess; Slide, Half-Elf Swashbuckler Rogue.
Sardis; Marari, Fairy Primeval Conclave Ranger
Dhakhan; Jax, Variant Human Dragon bloodline Sorcerer.

The party is currently in a battle but I can easily bring someone in once it is over.

Our Paladin had to quit because of Time constraints.

Do you want another, another Paladin? I could certainly do that, but I wouldn't mind a Barbarian - probably look at a multiclass at some point.

I am not picky. What kind of barbarian did you have in mind?

Yes!

I might go for obnoxious. (Mechanically, not RP.)

Wildhunt Shifter Totem Barbarian, with the Outlander background. Probably multiclass into Oath of Glory Paladin for a few levels. Depending on how far we go, might multiclass again down the road some.

Works for me. I will send you an invite. Depending on how long the current battle takes and when you finish your character will determine when I bring you in. I might have you as one of the bandits prisoners.

So I am looking for another replacement player.

Is there a particular gap you'd like to fill? I have a few ideas I've been thinking about.

Do artificers fit into your world? I've played one so far and really liked how they play. Could play something else as well if needed.

Well, the group has plenty of front line people. What did you have in mind?
Yes, they fit in my setting. What exactly were you thinking?

I like the idea of dwarven smiths who use runes to trigger magic or harness magic into creations, weapons, creatures, etc. With that in mind, a dwarven battle smith - his steel defender does not need to be mechanical - could be flavored as an animated stone/metal golem - depending on the flavor of magic and technology you want in your campaign.

That does not help your "plenty of front line people" issue.

I've always wanted to try an Enchanter Wizard, thinking Harengon (rabbit folk) if allowed, or an Eladrin?

He can easily be mechanical. There isn't reason he can't be.

@DrifterDwarf, you are in.

Hail Runesmith and Tetsujin 28

With GeneCortess leaving, we are down a rogue. Need a replacement player.

Hi - I can come with a rogue, if you still have room and need a player.

Yeah, I have room for one more. I will shoot you an invite.