Session 0 and character creation

Rules. House Rules
Using PHB (2014) rules. No planning switch to 5.5. PHB means no DMG variants, such as flanking.
Also I don't usually use the rule of cool, because cool is too subjective and I've found my taste is ... unusual

Exceptions possible and one is right below :)

My Expectations
I expect players to respect: rules and each other
And I expect players to be active and respect DM's chosen peace.

Note: In particular don't want to read anyone complaining about rules or attempt to argue a class feature or a spell would need to achieve more or different results than described in the book. If you want to achieve more that granted by rules DM it will involve some "Ability Checks".

Character creation
So here is my first exception. RAW sat that Step-By-Step process consists of steps:
1. Choose a Race, 2. Choose a Class, 3. Determine Ability Scores, 4. Describe Your Character, 5. Choose Equipment

But I know people like to do "4. Determine Ability Scores" as first step. I'm fine with that - roll six times your 4d6H3 as first step.
Then follow the rest of the steps taking into account limitations I described in game page Game Posting peace and waiting policy
I respect people who may not be posting on holidays, but I do. In chapter I due to no combat pressure I will simply assume a PC lagged behind or get attracted by something if I don't see a player post for more than 24 hours. But I will wait those 24 hours to allow everyone to participate.
It doesn't mean I promise to post every 24 hours, though. Sometimes you may need to wait longer.

Other
XP: no XP, no lvl up in chapter I. If we decide to continue to chapter II we will discuss this topic.
Anything else you like to know - just ask.

Alright, let's get to it. Variant Human, Rogue (scout subclass if the game continues). Member of the Emerald Enclave.

For those who want link their PCs with an organization, I suggest Flaming Fist , Lords' Alliance, Order of the Gauntlet, Harpers - they are all based on Baldur's gate and has presence in Chult. There are more organizations operating in the city your PC is citizen of, full list in fandom, but they other organization will not be relevant to the story.

@MaJunior. Do you mean The Emerald Enclave which is "an organization of druids and other nature worshipers based out of the island of Ilighôn off the coast of the Vilhon Reach. " . That's intriguing for me as to why such druid organization would have presence in one of the largest metropolis and city-state on the Sword Coast. Looking forward to read why would a member of the Emerald Enclave be a citizen of Baldur’s Gate.

It's more than just Druids of course.

But why wouldn't they have people in cities? I would assume they have Enclave members in all of the major cities for political reasons. If you don't have someone there to go before the King or the council or whatever governing body an area has and argue in favor of your faction and their goals, who will?

Also, it's hard to spy on other factions or enemies of the Enclave if you aren't where those factions are... and again, the other factions would tend to have representatives in big cities for political reasons.

1. Human
2. Fighter

And rolling for 3...

EDIT: Looks like standard array time. (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8)

Looks like martial are covered, and,I've never played a full caster before,

1) Dwarf
2) Cleric
3) rolllin' . . .
4) pending
5) pending

Would Duergar be allowed?

@MaJunior I don't argue no rogue could serve Emerald Enclave. Sorry if it felt like I do.
An agent could be operating in the city despite no formal faction presence (based on internet resource I linked). Be the reason
spying, diplomacy or else. Possibilities are quite few. I just want to know your choice, but we let's discuss it in your Chapter 0 and keep this thread clean.

I don't recommend. An educated citizen on Port Nynanzaru would recognize you are a Duergar and know the lore of your rase as Per Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide : Duergar now take slaves of their own and are as tyrannical as their former masters (mind flayers). You would not be welcome in most of the parts of the city.

Okay gotcha. I see why hill Drawfs are so popular as clerics now anyway

Let's see how this goes.
1) Variant Human
2) Paladin
3) Standard array
Standard array it is.

@GreyWord Simple and quick question, I was wondering if it is possible to use the Urban Bounty Hunter Background from Sword Coast adventures?

@Azule86 since you are the first to ask for exception I will allow, but here is the drawback:

Typically I assume DM is responsible to motivate PC to participate the story main quest. From he top of my head I have no idea why would a Bounty Hunter want to accept patron's offer and why would patron be interested in hiring one. So it will be your as player responsibility to come up with reason for your PC to want to tag along the party to want him/her along.

P.S. And it is not lack of my ability to come up with ideas, please don't try to "help" me motivating my patron. There are things in the story I will not spoil that will diminish the value of bounty hunter skills/experience.

Allright, a fighter, rogue, cleric, and paladin walk into a bar. They see the one thing that they didn't know they missed. A bard of course!

1. High Half-Elf
2. Bard
3. That's a pretty nice set of rolls.
4. I'll be choosing the Anthopoligist background, and work on that in the charactersheet.

I've submitted my (almost complete) character. Just need to work on the background/backstory, pick spells, and a few other details.
I apologize in advance if I play a cleric suboptimally 😅

@GreyWord I've submitted my character, please let me know what you think, and if you want to change anything!

Submitted my character, just need to finish his background.

good work everyone. @Azule86 and @MaJunior I need a backstory or at least a sentence of how you earn your living at the moment. Chapter 0 is unlocked for the rest.

P.S. I did not check character sheet in details, trust you. Let me know if any unexperienced 5e want me to double check your sheet for you.

Finished my background. I hope it works.

@Azule86 good. Your thread unlocked see what I've got for you. Hope that fits your vision.

Looks good to me. Do I need to post a response?

yes please. Describe your PC immediate reaction. Do they just drink wine waiting for NPC to lead conversation? Are they so excited and/or intrigued that start questioning immediately? Drink a lot of free wine or barely taste it?

@szemely @crazybirdman I'm also expecting similar post from you (see my previous post above)
@MaJunior expecting to see a short Background in your charactersheet

I'm aware. Took the weekend off, I'll have it done by tonight. (Currently 1440 local time.)

Done and done.

I think you deserve to know this: gamersplane allows to easily hide messages from certain players and, for example if a goblin talks in goblin language only show what he says to player who's PC know goblin language. It may add some extra richness to your gaming experience especially if that talking happens in the middle of the battle.
Some DM here on gamersplane are not using the feature, some are using excessively. I will be doing that very seldom. I have been in games were I am missing half of the story just because I don't know the language, don't see in the darkness or decided to stay on the other side of the doors to prevent anyone entering.

Unless a player specifically state his PC is doing something in secret from other PCs and unless you see message like this with your player name in it

I would like to assume every PC has the knowledge of the events described. Even if they don't participate those events. And still - I encourage everyone to try to give IC short recap of events/actions you have done while party split and then reunited.

A question that seems to belong to Session 0. DM, how do you tread insight checks?

Answer: Honestly, I hoped to avoid the question, but here we are. Because I don't have a good answer. Let me quote popular suggestions I've seen in internet:
1. It is NOT a lie detector.
2. A good insight check should reveal clues (clues from body language, speech habits, and changes in mannerisms), but the interpretation should be left to the player

In the scene with Razira I believe I've tried to described that her body language is extremely affected by the stress she is in. Since you know nothing about her usual speech habits and mannerisms I don't provide any clues related to that.

Thank you for this explanation! Maybe this is where my misunderstanding starts, because this is not how I view/use insight in my games/head. So this is good to know, thanks for sharing! I'll retract the question for the insight check.

I think I've send a seemingly argumentative message in the thread, but I don't mean it as a argument over your ruling. I probably didn't understand you, and wanted to explain where I'm coming from, like with this instance. So I want to add, to be clear, you're the DM, you set the rules.

@MaJunior I just want to double check your expectations as I've stated in this game description the game is about
The expedition is not content of this game, it may be content of next game I may decide to run if we all have fun with this chapter, but it will hardly happen sooner than next year.

I'm looking at it from a longer perspective.

Besides next year is only a handful of weeks away.

OK, I assume that means we have a 4 player game for chapter 1 and I'm going to check upon any of those who wanted to play chapter 1 with us if they still want to be part of the this game

I didn't have much I wanted to do before the expedition either. I didn't realize how far away that part of the story was going to be. I'll try to engage with this current chapter more.

Guys, let me know if anyone else don't feel entertained by content that lack usual 5e action and combat. I have a solution for you if most of the players agree they want jump into the jungle already. But don't tell me I didn't warn you that a multi thousand miles expedition is supposed to turn into a disaster without proper preparation.

I'm not not entertained. just adapting

I'm certainly entertained! I thought it was clearly communicated that this game would be run in Port Nyanzaru. Though I feel like we're rushed to move forward with the expedition, but that may just be the NPC's talking?

Yes, Syndra was surprised how little prep-work you have don, but she did not push you to start expedition tomorrow. As a matter of fact she want to meet you tomorrow night and to help you to better plan logistics of the operation.
BUT, I was just suggesting you mat ignore her and just dart into the jungle because your PCs must be worried about saving their beloved ones you know
This game so far is totally based on player decisions

I mean, it makes sense. They (Syndra, and whomever we are each here to try and save,) are running indeterminately short on time.

It's worth mentioning that there's a huge seperation between player and character... as a player, I'm thoroughly enjoying seeing everyone running around following every lead, every hook, and every breadcrumb.

As a character... Ren would agree more with Syndra -- the longer we sit around in Port Nyanzaru is a day wasted when time is of the essence.

They are not the same outlook, nor should they be -- I'm not playing myself. 🤷‍♂️

Shit, yeah, I messed up, I think I took the gold (5d4x10gp) rolling on DnD Beyond. I'll delete the extra gold, and adjust my sheet.

I took the 10gp. Since we've already spent some, but I don't know how much exactly, I've put it at 5gp 4sp.

I suggest you roll it here on gamersplane. It would be nice if you can afford the ritual.

I believe you spend 1 gp per night 2 nights and a bit more for drinks, shouldn't be less than 3 gp spent

So you'll allow me to roll the 5d4 x 10gp? And buy some starting equipment instead?

Yes. And please in future do all the rolls in in gamersplane.

Yes, I will. Rookie mistake, my apologies! I've updated Yendils Character Sheet, and he's got 87gp 5sp 9cp left according to my calculations. I'll update the post in scene 3.