Character Creation

Also, you might want to consider using a one-handed weapon and a shield with the dueling fighting style. You might do less damge overall, but that extra AC will come in handy. Plus, at higher levels, your divine smite and other abilities will be doing so much damage, the extra points you get from great weapon fighting won't matter much anymore, but that extra +2 AC will still be significant.

Let's see what happens here...
12, 12, 13, 12, 12, 14 extremely mediocre...

Any rerolls or switch to point buy, Len?

That said, there is something satisfying about playing a dragon man swinging a huge-ass sword.

@HypCo: I think that's better than point buy technically, just flatter. With typical +2/+1 racial bonuses you'll get a +3 and a +2 to work with, and then all +1s. But if you'd rather take point buy I'm okay with it.

Thank you, switching to point buy.

Thanks for the advice McDunno. I decided it would make more sense to switch to a dueling paladin with a longsword and to keep the maul around just because.

HypCo: Thanks for submitting your character, but I see you have used a non-official Ranger variant. I'm only allowing classes from official sources for this game - PHB, SCAG, XgtE.

That's amusing, we're going to have two rangers!

I'm going beastmaster because of the reason I rolled for becoming a ranger:

Also, it appears that rangers only officially have access to a longbow as starting equipment. Since I'm a halfling, can I switch that to a shortbow?

It is from Xanathar's Lost Notes, is that not official? Shoot, looking at it I don't think it is. Sorry, I thought it was.

Back to the drawing board I go!

What types of terrain are common around here? I'd like to pick something for Natural Explorer that won't be useless

So far we've been on roads and in a cave system.

Submitted my guy. Background is still in progress, as well as Favored Enemy and Terrains, but other than that it's done.

Starrbeardo, Naatkinson, and HypCo: Setting the stage for this rescue operation, it looks the rescue party will consist of a Dragonborn vengeance paladin and 2 rangers. What are you guys doing out in the hinterlands of the Fallen Arkasian empire? Here are some options but feel free to tweak it or come up with entirely different suggestions:

1. A small order of hedge knights that continues the mission of the Knights of Arkasia long after their demise, ranging far and wide to help the common folk as the sun sets on the Arkasian empire. Benefit: each member gains a cloak of protection embroidered with the Arkasian coat of arms (+1 AC and all saving throws) .

2. Monster hunters who roam the wild lands and take down monsters for sport, renown, and profit. Benefit: each member may select any 1 suit of armor from the PHB, except full plate.

3. Treasure hunters who search the hinterlands of the old Empire to salvage relics and loot ruins, selling their finds to the highest bidder. Benefit: A magic weapon suitable for your character build.

@Naat: shortbow is good. We're in a forest valley at the moment, so forest and mountains would be good choices.

@HypCo: thanks for switching up!

Probably not going ranger.

Number three has my interest; the only problem is the weapon I want to use doesn't receive much love and I don't think there is a magic variant of it.

Len, I think I may take a wolf as my animal companion. Being a halfling, would you allow me to ride it as a mount?

Totally fine as long as you let me do it in your game when Seraphina hits third level :p You probably had a custom saddle made, but we will waive the cost.

What weapon is that? I did write a whole generator for magic weapons, I'm sure we can think of something.

A sling. I wasn't sure if we were going off the books or not. On the latter, with you, heck yeah we can think of something.