[5e] Shesheyan's Blackmoor

[Shesheyan]

I'm currently preparing for my Blackmoor campaign. First focus is on the city itself. One building that fired my imagination is the University. Here is my interpretation of the institution :

- The Head Master lives on the last level (5th level) of the library tower.
- The third level of the Main Hall is the astronomy lab with openable roof and telescope.
- The third level of the main gate is infirmary and the detention area for unruly students.
- Sensitive research is conducted under the building, away from the curious eyes of the students. Accessed via the lower level of the library.


Aerial View :

[Yaztromo]

Please keep us updated on how it develops 8)

[Shesheyan]

TEMPLE OF THE FROG

Getting ready for our first game in a few weeks. Once the characters reach Vestford they will ride to the Lake of Mist, board a caravel (one mast ship) and sail down to the entrance of the Big Muddy swamp river. Once at the delta of the Big Muddy they will board a large swamp barge in search of the missing baroness. I don't plan on running encounters of the Lake of Mist but once they get in the swamp I'll unleash a few encounters on the characters. Since I've never DMed level 8 characters in 5e these are designed to see what they can do and learn what kind of damage they can deliver. Also good practice for the players since they start directly at level 8. Most of the encounters will be launched against the barge they will be using to sail on the river. We play with miniatures so a made a plan of the barge.

Plan of the Barge :
15' x45' with a flat bottom. 45° angle at the front. The barge can accommodate eight passengers and a navigator at the back. The sides and back of the barge are protected by shield-like low cover. In the center there is a 5' x 20' roofed section to hide from the sun and to secure food+equipment. The barge is equipped with a small mast with triangular sail that can be taken down and secured on the roof. four wooden 20' long poles can be used to propel the barge when the swamp river current drops to a crawl.

[Havard]

Wow, this is amazing!

-Havard

[Shesheyan]

Wow, this is amazing!

-Havard

Thank you Havard !

Before the Temple of the Frog starts I want to do some role-play in the city of Blackmoor. One of the players is a Level 8 Cleric of Henrin. He is currently stationed at the Blackmoor monastery. When not on a mission for the church he oversees the training of level 2 spells.

The monastery is a modest two level building with four corner towers. The towers house monumental staircases. The foot print is 200'x200'. Novice classes, sleeping quarters and daily operations are on level one. Level two is reserved to administration, private quarters of resident clerics and advanced spiritual teachings. The third level is an attic that doubles has a large library, reliquary and study areas. The inside of the building has walkways with opened archways giving views on the interior courtyard. Located at the back of the courtyard is the monastery's chapel. It is not very large but can accommodate all the novices because there are no benches. The clerics have seats on the second level balcony.

[Shesheyan]

Dramatis Personae :

Tika Verdanz, Monk level 8, Way of the Hand : Tika, a High Thonian who fled her responsibilities, has joined the monastery of the foreign goddess Kalisha the Whirlwind. Kalisha is only worshipped by female monks. The monastery is build on the mountain of the Island of Archlis. Monks of Kalisha always fight in groups of three. One leader and two lower level monks. Tika is accompanied by two level 4 monks of Peshwan origine. Together they form a powerful «force de frappe». The Fetch regularly calls upon the Monks of Kalisha in his efforts to thwart the Egg of Coot's machinations.
__________________
Sir Leon Renstein, Cleric level 8, Cavalier Option, High Thonian : Sir Leon is a cleric of Henrin. A very religious man he took his vows at an early age. Leon is a true believer and has no patience for church politics. He earned a reputation as a fierce combattant fighting against several Skandaharian raids near Coot's Watch. During the last raid Leon befriended the son of a Skandaharian tribe leader and convinced him to join forces against his own father and the Egg of Coot. Sir Leon resides at the Blackmoor monastery between his military campaigns.
__________________
Thorgrim Hakenson, Fighter level 5, Bard level 3, Skandaharian : Thorgrim has turned his back on the violent ways of his people. He resents the control the Egg of Coot has over the tribes of his people. Thorgrim has joined forces with the with Sir Leon. Before he left, Thorgrim stole his fahter's the Horn of Valhalla. Thorgrim has fought several battles against Skandaharian. His father declared Thorgrim a traitor and put a bounty on his head. When not adventuring Thorgrim performs at the Comeback Inn where he rents a room.

[RobJN]

Hey, Shesheyan.

Not sure if I overlooked it, but what system are you using for your Blackmoor city/DA2 adventure(s)?

D&D 3.x with the Dave Arneson's Blackmoor Campaign Setting source material?

BECMI/RC D&D with the DA-series modules?

5e?

Something completely different?

[Shesheyan]

Hey, Shesheyan.

Not sure if I overlooked it, but what system are you using for your Blackmoor city/DA2 adventure(s)?

D&D 3.x with the Dave Arneson's Blackmoor Campaign Setting source material?

BECMI/RC D&D with the DA-series modules?

5e?

Something completely different?

Hello !
Good question. I'm using parts of 3e Blackmoor Campaign book + D1 and D2 for setting info. I never mentioned the 3e book to them because I want the players to discover Blackmoor's setting as we play. This way I avoid meta gaming by the players. We are using 5e. Its a good commun ground for a 50+ DM playing with late twenties, early thirties players.

[aldarron]

Love the drawings. Thanks for sharing your cool stuff!

[Shesheyan]

Love the drawings. Thanks for sharing your cool stuff!

My pleasure !


SESSION ONE :

Our first session went very well. I took the time to do a 10 minute introduction of each character before the mission began. Tika learned more about her monastery and the monk order before receiving a letter from King Uther. The grand mistress provided a flying carpet the shuttle Tika and her two acolytes to the Comeback Inn. Leon received the King's letter while at the monastery of Henrin in Blackmoor. Thorgrim was already staying at the Comeback Inn when he received the King's letter. 





Sequence 1 : The Comeback Inn

When Leon arrived at the inn he was happy to see Thorgrim because they had fought together at Coot's watch. When Tika arrived, Thorgrim remembered talking to her during a reception at her parents house. They agreed to sit at the same table and talked for a while. Finally they revealed to each other that they had received a letter from the King... the letter was a simple request to be at the Comeback Inn on this day. It also contained a beautiful illustration of a ruby that appeared to be in three dimensions when the sheet of paper was viewed from different angles. Not sure exactly what to do they talked, drank and waited.

A tall and thin man dressed in gray clothes comes down the stairs from the second level. Mid way down the stairs he looked at the group and showed them a card with a ruby identical to the one in the letters. He turned around and went back up the stairs. The group took the hint and followed him to the second level of the inn. The man was waiting to for them in from of the open door of the Ruby room. He signaled to enter and said « Please wait here, someone will be with you shortly. Make yourself at home. You will find refreshments and sustenance on the table near the fireplace ». The man left the room and closed the door. Thorgrim didn’t hesitate and took a large piece of meat and started to eat promptly. Tika only took a glass of water. Leon was attracted to cheese.


Sir William Fletcher

Suddenly, the door to the room opened energetically ! Sir William Fletcher, first adviser of the King and rector of Blackmoor university entered the room. The three companions held their collective breath ! This must be serious business. Summoned by the King and received by Fletcher himself !
 « Sorry for calling you on such short notice but Baroness Risa Aleford has disappeared two weeks ago during a mission in the Great Dismal Swamp. Entire villages of fisherman have been disappearing in the region. The Baroness was tasked by the King to find out why. She took a company of twenty men with her. We have not heard from her since. Our agents in the area tell us she was last seen near South Rim. Your mission is to travel to South Rim in the Great Dismal Swamp, from there find and rescue the Baroness. Hopefully she and her men are still alive. You will travel as negotiator for a group of Blackmoor merchants looking to make contract with the owners of the pearl farms in the region of South Rim… »

Sir Leon, a great admirer of the Baroness’ «faits d’armes», interrupts Fletcher : « I accept ! »

Good says Fletcher. Tika and Thorgrim also accept the mission. « Excellent, I judged your character correctly. The King will be pleased. Travel arrangements have already been prepared. My assistant will explain everything to you. Do not dilly dally. Time is of the essence. Political ramifications of this disappearance could have dire consequences for the King. Fair well ! » Without pause Fletcher exits the ruby room leaving the group to digest the news by themselves.


The Ruby Room

Shortly after, Jrohan, Fletcher’s assistant, enters the room asks the group to follow him. Jrohan walks to the north-east corner of the room and opens a secret door hidden by wood paneling. Beyond the door the group can see a circular staircase going down. The assistant descends the narrow staircase with the adventurers in tow. The staircase is magical illuminated. After descending four levels they arrive in a large rectangular room. 

On the south side of the room a large circular disk stand upright against the wall. The disk is made of various metals, silver and gold. On each side of the disk an empty picture frame is nailed to the stone wall. In the middle of the room there are five traveling back pack filled by rations and equipment to spend some time in the wilderness. Jorhan walks to a large table. An iron chest rest on top of it. He opens the chest and retrieves a stained glass artwork of the Comeback Inn. He walks to the left-side frame and inserts the stained glass into it. It stays in place and glows slightly. Jrohan takes a second stained glass image from the chest. This time it depicts Vestfold castle. He inserts it in the right-side frame. It glows. The stone wall behind the center of the large disk is replaced by a glowing and swirling liquid of gray color. Jrohan says : « This is your doorway to the lower level of castle Vestfold. Once there, further instructions will be given to you. This mission requires great secrecy on your part. Do not discuss the disappearance of the Baroness with those responsible for your movement until you reach the Great Muddy River. God’s speed ! »

Enthusiastic to be of help to their King and the famed Baroness, Tika (her two acolytes), Leon and Thorgrim each grab a back pack. They walk though the disk into circle of light… KAWOOOSH!



TBC