Yes, it's that time again.
I've been considering DMing a game of 3.5E D&D with a nautical theme. The PCs will most likely start at level 5 and at least at the beginning will probably be privateers drafted into a royal Navy. They'll sail the seas fighting the enemies of their kingdom and being awesome pirates. Of course, that doesn't mean there won't be more fantastic things to do. Underwater adventures, slaying huge sea monsters, all of that stuff will almost certainly happen over the course of the campaign. I'd be using Stormwrack for most of the sea rules, although I may end up figuring out something special for ship combat. It'll probably mostly end up with boarding actions, seeing as there aren't many abilities that actually hurt ships in a no-gunpowder world. Even a fireball isn't going to do much, wood doesn't burn as easily as you might think. Clever use of spells will probably be required if you want to sink a ship with magic. (Example: High level mage casts reverse gravity, lifts ship into the air and drops it, it founders. Of course the kind of mage who can do that could also teleport in, fill his bag of holding with the ship's entire treasury, and teleport out. Ship combat is interesting when magic comes into play)
Here's the thing though. I don't plan far enough ahead. I usually have no idea where things are going past the next adventure in a campaign, and I end up hitting a wall and the game falls apart.
I'm not gonna do that this time, I'm going to have an outline ready beforehand and a general idea of what will happen. The players will influence and shape it with their actions, but I won't be flying blind unless you do something completely insane. This will likely eliminate the risk of another failed campaign.
While I consider various storylines, I'm going to be seeing if I can get a good-sized group of people so I don't waste a bunch of time. You can decide on a character concept, maybe even make your character, all that stuff.
I'm pretty open on what supplements you use, and I can probably at least temporarily get my hands on just about any common splatbook you need. Obviously things in Stormwrack will be accepted and maybe even encouraged. The game world is run under the assumption that Darfellan, Hadozee, all the new races in Stormwrack exist. If you want to use something, say it and I'll look it up. Unless it's something stupid or obviously broken (Warforged :/) it will probably be accepted.
One thing though, psionic characters will probably not be available. I don't like them, I feel like they're out of place in D&D. If you really want one, I might be able to be persuaded though.
You don't have to know how to play, but I'd really prefer you did. I can teach one or two people as we go but if the entire group has never played and has no idea what they're doing we'll have problems.
Likewise, you don't need the books,
but at least having some form of the player's handbook would be helpful if you already have it or have "obtained it" (You bad horrible person) I forgot, the
D20 SRD has all the information you'll need to make a basic character.
So there you go, if you're interested post, and meanwhile I'll be making sure I have enough material that the game won't die.
Important thing I forgot: We'll probably use Gametable or Fantasy Grounds 2.
Alright, here's how the campaign will most likely begin:
You will be residents of a decent-sized port town in a very large human empire. One day a flagship of the Royal Navy, the Avenger (Working name, can't think of anything better) sails into port to collect its yearly quota of crew and officers for the academy. This year you're drafted as a potential officer, being one of the more skilled young people in your village.
Note that you're not all necessarily in the same village. The ship goes on a tour of a large part of the coastline collecting people. It then takes you to the naval academy at the capital.
The first adventure will probably be a condensed version of your training at the capital, providing a safe and thematic way for the newer players to learn the ropes.
I HAVE CHOSEN THE STARTING PCs:
Aerion Revion, Elven Bard(RNG)Eleya, Raptorian Fighter(Wolfchild)Ghenor Irucha, Aventi Swordsage(Criptfeind)Gulliver Longtide, Shoal Halfling Rogue/Sorcerer(Kinseti)Meredith, Mermaid Druid(RAM)Other characters are not necessarily out, just on standby until they're needed.
Map of the world:
Author
Topic: Cogs and Corsairs - Nautical 3.5E D&D - Characters chosen (Read 34130 times)