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[quote][i]Originally posted by Reefy[/i]
[br]Okay, so as I mentioned in passing last night, I�ve decided I�m going to try running a play by email campaign. I�ve got plenty of spare time coming up and fancy some more gaming. If anyone is interested, please have a read through what I�ve got here and PM me here or email me at reefpants~googlemail.com, where ~ = @ , which will be the campaign email. Note that this is an account created specifically for the campaign, not my usual one. Lurkers are welcome, and don�t worry if you�ve not played by email before.

I have DMed before, though not via email, but I am playing in Kaladorm�s pbem campaign. I�ve been playing for several years now so am pretty familiar with both the rules and the Realms. I am, of course, always learning, and I know there are plenty of people here with a better knowledge than me, but I hope things will run smoothly enough.

Obviously people are used to playing with different house rules and ideas, and I�m always tweaking things as I see fit, but I�m open to suggestions on things. I have a fairly sizeable list of house rules that will be available here, though nothing particularly major.

1. Rules set. I�m going to play 3.5. I have mostly played 3E, but have read lots of 3.5 stuff, though this is my first exclusive play with 3.5. My thinking is that the one source everyone can get hold of is the SRD, so everyone has access to that at least.

2. Setting. I�ve wanted to play in Waterdeep for some time and not had the opportunity, so I�ve decided that�s where the campaign will be based. This means the campaign will have a different feel to one set in the Dales, for instance, given its urban nature, but it�s a big enough sandpit for everyone to play in. I have 3.5 Waterdeep: City of Splendors, the 2E box set City of Splendors, and I believe I have a copy of Waterdeep and the North somewhere too. It will begin in the month of Mirtul, in the Year of Lightning Storms (1374DR).

3. Resources. I have access to a lot of sources, but not everything. If you wish to use something not in one of the sources mentioned here, please explain it to me and I�ll let you know.
I have:
SRD
PHB
DMG
MM I, II, III
Fiend Folio
Book of Exalted Deeds
Book of Vile Darkness
Unearthed Arcana
The 3.5 �Complete� series of books, and their 3E equivalents
All (I think) 3/3.5 FR material other than Mysteries of the Moonsea
A fair amount of 2E FR material
Lore and other material from Wizards, Candlekeep and elsewhere on the web.

4. Character creation. This could go on for a while, but here goes.
- Please run any concept you�re unsure about with regards to class, race etc. I�ll do my best to incorporate it as long as the character�s history and logic for being in Waterdeep is sound.
- The party will be a predominantly good (including neutral party). I don�t know if I�m up to running an evil party. 
- Alignment tracking. I am using the system KnightErrantJR uses, as detailed in his house rules thread. See: http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6698
- Character level will be 10-12. Characters will be fairly powerful, and just about able to take prestige classes, should they so wish to. Something I tried in my most recent PNP campaign was to vary the party�s level slightly. For some reason it irritates me slightly that everyone in the party is miraculously of the same equivalent power. What I am thinking of doing is assigning everyone a level, based on 1d3+9. That way everybody is fairly powerful, but there is just a little variety, though not so much as to unbalance things. If people don�t like the idea, I�m happy to scrap it.
- I am not familiar with psionics rules, though they are in the SRD. If you desperately wish to play a psionic character, I�ll do my best to incorporate them, but psionics are not likely to feature strongly.
- Stats will be done using 32 point buy.
- Characters may receive one free regional feat that they are eligible for, chosen from the Player�s Guide to Faer�n.
- Starting gold will be the standard amount available to a character of that level.
- I expect a nice backstory/history of the character, please submit this to me. As a high level character, chances are you have plenty of contacts, allies, underlings and the like � feel free to create these or use existing characters from canon � I find it hard to believe a level 10+ character has existed in isolation for their entire life� The more you give me, the more I have to work with.

That�s the basics, now for the specifics.
- Half-orcs have no Charisma penalty, but have instead have a �1 penalty to Diplomacy, Gather Information and Handle Animal checks.
- Clerics do not start with heavy armour proficiency.
- Druids are proficient with the shortbow.
- Monks have no multiclassing restrictions.
- Paladins have no multiclassing restrictions.
- Sorcerers get 4 + Int modifier skill points per level. Diplomacy and Intimidate are class skills. They gain a bonus feat at level 5, 11 and 17.
- Specialist wizards may use the Initiate of (school) feats devised by Kaladorm. If you are interested, please ask.
- All characters have Knowledge (local) as a class skill.
- A variant way of working out diplomacy checks will be used. This should not matter as it takes place behind the scenes, but I�m informing you so you know.
- Weapon Finesse also applies to scimitars.
- Cosmopolitan is the FRCS version, not the one in the Player�s Guide.
- Spellcasting Prodigy is the FRCS version, not the one in the Player�s Guide.
- Smooth Talk grants +2 on Diplomacy, Gather Information and Sense Motive checks.
- Daylight Adaptation may be chosen at any level after 1st and does not therefore count as a regional feat.
- Bonus 0 level spells are granted as per 1st level spells for high ability scores.
- Spells can only be chosen from the PHB and Magic of Faer�n. Spells from other sources, or with the name of someone famous in them, e.g. Elminster�s Evasion, can only be learnt from other sources, such as appropriate regional spellbooks or tutors in that area. If you want to learn a spell from Unapproachable East, you need to find a spellbook from that region, or a tutor from that region. Similarly, if you want to learn one of Elminster�s spells, you need to learn it from the Old Mage, someone he has taught, or a spellbook with it recorded in. This applies to arcane and divine magic. A character can choose spells from their home region on top of any others.
- Alignment and divine casters in Faer�n. I am using the system KnightErrantJR uses, as detailed here: http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6698
- Although I have not developed an alternative system yet, I am not happy with the rules for turning undead or polymorphing. Both of those are potentially going to be changed, as and when I find or come up with a set of rules I think works better.

Bear in mind that Waterdeep is a diverse, cosmopolitan metropolis, tolerant to most races, and its citizens often have a �seen it all before attitude� towards even very unusual creatures. That said, as an urban environment, druids, rangers and barbarians are likely to be rare, and will possibly not function to their maximum potential. Like most places, fighter and rogues are the most common classes. Due to the cosmopolitan nature, worshippers of pretty much any deity can be found in Waterdeep, but major religious presences are held by Gond, Lathander, Mystra, Oghma, Sel�ne, Sune, Tempus, Tymora and Tyr. You can play a noble, but in doing so you must take at least one level in the Aristocrat class. The bonuses (and penalties) associated with being a noble will obviously apply, but will probably come in the form of different rewards, such as the way your character is treated by others, availability of resources etc. Alternatively, if someone wishes to play a noble, I�m thinking of creating a Noble base class, based on the Aristocrat, but with a few additional abilities.
For prestige classes, CoS:W lists common ones and has some in it that obviously are relevant. The Merchant Prince and Court Herald classes in Power of Faer�n also seem to fit in nicely.
Waterdeep is a lawful city, but full of intrigue, so the campaign is likely to have plenty of roleplaying and non-combat encounters, though only a fool travels without at least a dagger..

5. Other rules. A few other things worth noting are mentioned here.
- An attack roll of 1 always results in a critical miss (fumble), meaning that that player cannot act during their next action or make attacks of opportunity until after their next action.
- Fighting with a single weapon and nothing in the other hand gives you a +1 dodge bonus. This stacks with Dodge and other similar bonuses.
- Instead of dying at �10 hit points, a character instead dies at a negative score equal to their Con score, e.g. a character with 18 Con would die on �18.
- Variant massive damage rules are used. A small character dies if it takes 40 points from one attack, a medium one 50, a large one 60, and so on.
- You do not need to worry about eating, drinking etc. It is assumed these things will be done behind the scenes. However, please do roleplay any of these things if they add to the situation, they are just irrelevant in terms of mechanics because a character of this level should be quite capable of sustenance without problems.
- Dice rolling. You tell me your actions, and I�ll roll the dice.

6. Emails. I check my email regularly, so staying on top of things hopefully shouldn�t be a problem. Ideally I�d like the game to progress smoothly, with people being responsive, but I�m all too aware that real life can get in the way at times. If people want to contact each other via an instant messenger, by all means do so.

Finally, I�m open to any suggestions on rules or anything else. Rules are obviously subject to change later should an improvement I like occur, though these things are unlikely to be major and I will consult before introducing them. If you want an explanation of why I rule things the way I do, I�m happy to provide one. I want people to enjoy themselves, so let me know if you want to discuss an aspect I�ve mentioned.

Thanks for reading, apologies for length. I hope someone out there is interested. If you are, please get in touch.
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T O P I C R E V I E W
Reefy	Posted - 28 Jul 2006 : 18:32:34 Okay, so as I mentioned in passing last night, I�ve decided I�m going to try running a play by email campaign. I�ve got plenty of spare time coming up and fancy some more gaming. If anyone is interested, please have a read through what I�ve got here and PM me here or email me at reefpants~googlemail.com, where ~ = @ , which will be the campaign email. Note that this is an account created specifically for the campaign, not my usual one. Lurkers are welcome, and don�t worry if you�ve not played by email before. I have DMed before, though not via email, but I am playing in Kaladorm�s pbem campaign. I�ve been playing for several years now so am pretty familiar with both the rules and the Realms. I am, of course, always learning, and I know there are plenty of people here with a better knowledge than me, but I hope things will run smoothly enough. Obviously people are used to playing with different house rules and ideas, and I�m always tweaking things as I see fit, but I�m open to suggestions on things. I have a fairly sizeable list of house rules that will be available here, though nothing particularly major. 1. Rules set. I�m going to play 3.5. I have mostly played 3E, but have read lots of 3.5 stuff, though this is my first exclusive play with 3.5. My thinking is that the one source everyone can get hold of is the SRD, so everyone has access to that at least. 2. Setting. I�ve wanted to play in Waterdeep for some time and not had the opportunity, so I�ve decided that�s where the campaign will be based. This means the campaign will have a different feel to one set in the Dales, for instance, given its urban nature, but it�s a big enough sandpit for everyone to play in. I have 3.5 Waterdeep: City of Splendors, the 2E box set City of Splendors, and I believe I have a copy of Waterdeep and the North somewhere too. It will begin in the month of Mirtul, in the Year of Lightning Storms (1374DR). 3. Resources. I have access to a lot of sources, but not everything. If you wish to use something not in one of the sources mentioned here, please explain it to me and I�ll let you know. I have: SRD PHB DMG MM I, II, III Fiend Folio Book of Exalted Deeds Book of Vile Darkness Unearthed Arcana The 3.5 �Complete� series of books, and their 3E equivalents All (I think) 3/3.5 FR material other than Mysteries of the Moonsea A fair amount of 2E FR material Lore and other material from Wizards, Candlekeep and elsewhere on the web. 4. Character creation. This could go on for a while, but here goes. - Please run any concept you�re unsure about with regards to class, race etc. I�ll do my best to incorporate it as long as the character�s history and logic for being in Waterdeep is sound. - The party will be a predominantly good (including neutral party). I don�t know if I�m up to running an evil party. - Alignment tracking. I am using the system KnightErrantJR uses, as detailed in his house rules thread. See: http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6698 - Character level will be 10-12. Characters will be fairly powerful, and just about able to take prestige classes, should they so wish to. Something I tried in my most recent PNP campaign was to vary the party�s level slightly. For some reason it irritates me slightly that everyone in the party is miraculously of the same equivalent power. What I am thinking of doing is assigning everyone a level, based on 1d3+9. That way everybody is fairly powerful, but there is just a little variety, though not so much as to unbalance things. If people don�t like the idea, I�m happy to scrap it. - I am not familiar with psionics rules, though they are in the SRD. If you desperately wish to play a psionic character, I�ll do my best to incorporate them, but psionics are not likely to feature strongly. - Stats will be done using 32 point buy. - Characters may receive one free regional feat that they are eligible for, chosen from the Player�s Guide to Faer�n. - Starting gold will be the standard amount available to a character of that level. - I expect a nice backstory/history of the character, please submit this to me. As a high level character, chances are you have plenty of contacts, allies, underlings and the like � feel free to create these or use existing characters from canon � I find it hard to believe a level 10+ character has existed in isolation for their entire life� The more you give me, the more I have to work with. That�s the basics, now for the specifics. - Half-orcs have no Charisma penalty, but have instead have a �1 penalty to Diplomacy, Gather Information and Handle Animal checks. - Clerics do not start with heavy armour proficiency. - Druids are proficient with the shortbow. - Monks have no multiclassing restrictions. - Paladins have no multiclassing restrictions. - Sorcerers get 4 + Int modifier skill points per level. Diplomacy and Intimidate are class skills. They gain a bonus feat at level 5, 11 and 17. - Specialist wizards may use the Initiate of (school) feats devised by Kaladorm. If you are interested, please ask. - All characters have Knowledge (local) as a class skill. - A variant way of working out diplomacy checks will be used. This should not matter as it takes place behind the scenes, but I�m informing you so you know. - Weapon Finesse also applies to scimitars. - Cosmopolitan is the FRCS version, not the one in the Player�s Guide. - Spellcasting Prodigy is the FRCS version, not the one in the Player�s Guide. - Smooth Talk grants +2 on Diplomacy, Gather Information and Sense Motive checks. - Daylight Adaptation may be chosen at any level after 1st and does not therefore count as a regional feat. - Bonus 0 level spells are granted as per 1st level spells for high ability scores. - Spells can only be chosen from the PHB and Magic of Faer�n. Spells from other sources, or with the name of someone famous in them, e.g. Elminster�s Evasion, can only be learnt from other sources, such as appropriate regional spellbooks or tutors in that area. If you want to learn a spell from Unapproachable East, you need to find a spellbook from that region, or a tutor from that region. Similarly, if you want to learn one of Elminster�s spells, you need to learn it from the Old Mage, someone he has taught, or a spellbook with it recorded in. This applies to arcane and divine magic. A character can choose spells from their home region on top of any others. - Alignment and divine casters in Faer�n. I am using the system KnightErrantJR uses, as detailed here: http://www.candlekeep.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6698 - Although I have not developed an alternative system yet, I am not happy with the rules for turning undead or polymorphing. Both of those are potentially going to be changed, as and when I find or come up with a set of rules I think works better. Bear in mind that Waterdeep is a diverse, cosmopolitan metropolis, tolerant to most races, and its citizens often have a �seen it all before attitude� towards even very unusual creatures. That said, as an urban environment, druids, rangers and barbarians are likely to be rare, and will possibly not function to their maximum potential. Like most places, fighter and rogues are the most common classes. Due to the cosmopolitan nature, worshippers of pretty much any deity can be found in Waterdeep, but major religious presences are held by Gond, Lathander, Mystra, Oghma, Sel�ne, Sune, Tempus, Tymora and Tyr. You can play a noble, but in doing so you must take at least one level in the Aristocrat class. The bonuses (and penalties) associated with being a noble will obviously apply, but will probably come in the form of different rewards, such as the way your character is treated by others, availability of resources etc. Alternatively, if someone wishes to play a noble, I�m thinking of creating a Noble base class, based on the Aristocrat, but with a few additional abilities. For prestige classes, CoS:W lists common ones and has some in it that obviously are relevant. The Merchant Prince and Court Herald classes in Power of Faer�n also seem to fit in nicely. Waterdeep is a lawful city, but full of intrigue, so the campaign is likely to have plenty of roleplaying and non-combat encounters, though only a fool travels without at least a dagger.. 5. Other rules. A few other things worth noting are mentioned here. - An attack roll of 1 always results in a critical miss (fumble), meaning that that player cannot act during their next action or make attacks of opportunity until after their next action. - Fighting with a single weapon and nothing in the other hand gives you a +1 dodge bonus. This stacks with Dodge and other similar bonuses. - Instead of dying at �10 hit points, a character instead dies at a negative score equal to their Con score, e.g. a character with 18 Con would die on �18. - Variant massive damage rules are used. A small character dies if it takes 40 points from one attack, a medium one 50, a large one 60, and so on. - You do not need to worry about eating, drinking etc. It is assumed these things will be done behind the scenes. However, please do roleplay any of these things if they add to the situation, they are just irrelevant in terms of mechanics because a character of this level should be quite capable of sustenance without problems. - Dice rolling. You tell me your actions, and I�ll roll the dice. 6. Emails. I check my email regularly, so staying on top of things hopefully shouldn�t be a problem. Ideally I�d like the game to progress smoothly, with people being responsive, but I�m all too aware that real life can get in the way at times. If people want to contact each other via an instant messenger, by all means do so. Finally, I�m open to any suggestions on rules or anything else. Rules are obviously subject to change later should an improvement I like occur, though these things are unlikely to be major and I will consult before introducing them. If you want an explanation of why I rule things the way I do, I�m happy to provide one. I want people to enjoy themselves, so let me know if you want to discuss an aspect I�ve mentioned. Thanks for reading, apologies for length. I hope someone out there is interested. If you are, please get in touch.
30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Reefy	Posted - 22 Oct 2006 : 23:51:32 quote: Originally posted by Silvanus79 I would definitely be interested in lurking around a bit. I did send you an e-mail earlier, so let me know if you need another player. I hadn't read through the forum when I sent you my e-mail, so ignore the request for info. Definitely seems interesting. Waterdeep is a personal favorite. So, add me to your lurker list and if an opening comes up, let me know. I am partial to clerics, by the way, if you need a healer. Got your email, lurking is fine. Hi, and welcome.
Silvanus79	Posted - 22 Oct 2006 : 19:02:47 I would definitely be interested in lurking around a bit. I did send you an e-mail earlier, so let me know if you need another player. I hadn't read through the forum when I sent you my e-mail, so ignore the request for info. Definitely seems interesting. Waterdeep is a personal favorite. So, add me to your lurker list and if an opening comes up, let me know. I am partial to clerics, by the way, if you need a healer.
Sian	Posted - 20 Oct 2006 : 07:10:40 you'll proberly have to place my background on a halt ... my harddisk where i had it have crashed ... i think i have told you the basic (else i can always mail you the basics again) though but for a more instensive one you'll have to wait
Reefy	Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 23:25:38 quote: Originally posted by VonRaventheDaring I also would like to be considered on your Reserve list, also i might as well ask whats your view on psionics? Sure, if you send me your email address I can let you lurk. As for psionics, I have no experience with them whatsoever. I'm not especially keen on them, but if someone seriously wanted to play one I'd certainly consider it, and probably allow it.
VonRaventheDaring	Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 16:16:37 I also would like to be considered on your Reserve list, also i might as well ask whats your view on psionics?
Reefy	Posted - 11 Oct 2006 : 22:00:47 quote: Originally posted by Kaladorm quote: Originally posted by Reefy quote: Originally posted by Sian mailed character with spelllist Have had a brief look through - looks fine based on that. Any background/history/bio/other info for me? Still awaiting a couple more characters, then we should be able to get started. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay And yes, it is about time. Unfortunately my brain is far too dead to try and do anything productive tonight - it's what a twleve hour shift starting at 6am does to you.
Kaladorm	Posted - 10 Oct 2006 : 21:16:12 quote: Originally posted by Reefy quote: Originally posted by Sian mailed character with spelllist Have had a brief look through - looks fine based on that. Any background/history/bio/other info for me? Still awaiting a couple more characters, then we should be able to get started. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay
Reefy	Posted - 10 Oct 2006 : 20:27:25 quote: Originally posted by Sian mailed character with spelllist Have had a brief look through - looks fine based on that. Any background/history/bio/other info for me? Still awaiting a couple more characters, then we should be able to get started.
Sian	Posted - 10 Oct 2006 : 13:38:43 mailed character with spelllist
Reefy	Posted - 01 Oct 2006 : 00:48:46 quote: Originally posted by Archwizard Partly awaiting a minor note from Chris. Then I have to figure out spells. Yeah, sorry. Have been totally consumed by work this week. I'll get back to you tomorrow, when hopefully I'll be rather more awake.
Archwizard	Posted - 29 Sep 2006 : 22:40:47 Partly awaiting a minor note from Chris. Then I have to figure out spells.
Sian	Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 16:46:28 Taccacan the Sun Elf is also (almost) ready ... only lacks fixing the spellbook (which i look into this evening)
Kaladorm	Posted - 27 Sep 2006 : 23:52:14 Koralansireth the Moon Elf is ready to go . How's everyone else getting along?
Reefy	Posted - 22 Sep 2006 : 01:06:46 Though I'd call in and see where everybody's got to. I'm eager to get things up and running soon, so would appreciate character sheets and backgrounds etc. soon please. Remember, the more to give me to work with, the more you help shape the game.
Sian	Posted - 03 Sep 2006 : 10:00:17 i'll look on it this afternoon and finish the rest ... though i still thinks about the spellbook :p
Reefy	Posted - 03 Sep 2006 : 09:21:05 Hi, just a quick note to say apologies for being busy lately (job hunting) and that I'm away for a fortnight. If people could send me what they've got so I can look through it on my return, that would be much appreciated.
Archwizard	Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 23:14:59 I received the email, thanks Kaladorm.
Kaladorm	Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 18:39:58 Link sent to your new gmail address Archwizard
Archwizard	Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 03:17:27 Busy putting the character together. I would like to have the program that was mentioned previously.
Reefy	Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 02:35:32 How is everyone getting on? I've not had any questions for a few days (!) so thought I'd check in.
Aes Tryl	Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 10:05:55 my address for this campaign is aestryl~gmail.com
Archwizard	Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 06:22:30 My address for this game will be ithren ~ gmail.com.
Sian	Posted - 14 Aug 2006 : 05:13:19 sianist~gmail.com
Reefy	Posted - 14 Aug 2006 : 02:20:18 quote: Originally posted by Alexis Merlin I'd be interested in joining the reserve list or suchlike, if you aren't taking on anymore players. If you do have an open slot, I'll have enough time to create a character etc a coupla weeks or so from now, once I'm through my impending nuptials! Given I already have six PCs, I'm hesitant to have any more for the time being, I'm afraid. I'll gladly put you on the reserve list though, thanks for showing an interest.
Kaladorm	Posted - 13 Aug 2006 : 17:21:55 My contact for this campaign is Syrokilis~gmail.com (replacing ~ for @)
Alaundo	Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 08:28:56 quote: Originally posted by Alexis Merlin I'd be interested in joining the reserve list or suchlike, if you aren't taking on anymore players. If you do have an open slot, I'll have enough time to create a character etc a coupla weeks or so from now, once I'm through my impending nuptials! Now there's a scribe I haven't seen for a long time. Welcome back, Alexis Merlin
Alexis Merlin	Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 22:05:51 I'd be interested in joining the reserve list or suchlike, if you aren't taking on anymore players. If you do have an open slot, I'll have enough time to create a character etc a coupla weeks or so from now, once I'm through my impending nuptials!
Reefy	Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 20:16:54 You have 32 points to use. Each stat starts at 8. You use points at a 1 for 1 basis until a stat is 14. To increase to 15 or 16 will cost you 2 points. To increase to 17 or 18 will cost you 3 points. Hopefully this makes sense. And I'm sure people would be willing to help you with your build as well.
Aes Tryl	Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 15:34:08 Hmm i've decided to become either a crazy CG moon elf rogue/fighter/wizard or fighter/wizard from Silverymoon but unfortunately, i still have no idea how the point buy works HeLP!!
Aes Tryl	Posted - 10 Aug 2006 : 04:38:48 Sorry can someone explain what exactly the point buy system is i've managed to nail down character development pretty easily, cos i have a writing background. but I'm totally confused by the point buy, can anyone give me any reliable references. . . cos the players guide 3.5 says almost nothing about the point buy unless i didnt read it properly. .

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