In reply to Flarelord (msg # 14):
Thank you for answering my questions. I look forward to hearing the OPs thoughts as well, but I'll flesh out my idea based upon what information you have offered.
https://youtu.be/9ZP92GaTb84 This is a review of 5E Hardcore Mode in case anyone is curious. Using it isn't required. I personally like it quite a bit in concept, especially what it does for magic users. However, I also know that it is not to everyone's taste.
What character concept do you want to try out using the latest UA? I've been reading about it a bit and find some ideas interesting so I'm just curious here.
I'm generally cool with the three books you mentioned. Tasha's is a lot of fun. I am a little allergic to Artificers, however, due to the way their creations and abilities break my sense of immersion in a medieval fantasy world.
My preferred Combat/Role Play Ratio for RPoL games is 25/75. I prefer running combat as theater of the mind, so no maps.
I'm open to most of the material created by WotC. I'd be open to the material in the latest UA as long as the player can give me a reason why that character would be sworn to serve the local Baron.
I generally prefer the more episodic style of storytelling. Even a short module takes months to complete using RPoL so I prefer the ideas behind smaller more contained stories. This also frees up more options for creative ways to solve problems.
The general skeleton I am working on is centered around a castle in a cold northern land just as winter is setting in. The game would start at 1st level. The party would be vassals of the local Baron and they would gain, or lose, favor in the court based upon completing quests or ousting spies from among the courtiers. Politics and negotiations would be an important part of the game while combat, when it is entered into, would be dangerous and carry a chance of your character dying. After the completion of each short quest or milestone the characters would level up.
I actually made the game, using the Cypher System, but can easily convert the ideas back to D&D if there is enough interest in this style. If, however, this doesn't suit your desires, OP, just let me know.