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16:25, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e.

Posted by crownblade
crownblade
member, 375 posts
Sat 26 Mar 2022
at 21:24
  • msg #1

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

I've had an idea of a DnD 5e for an urban campaign centered around a large city, with a traditional fantasy feel. Plenty of adventure and a bit of skulduggery, allowing for the group to make their own way through the metropolis, from underbelly to priviledged heights.

This would be my first time gm'ing 5e, so I would ideally start with a group around 4-5 players of various classes.

If this sounds interesting please let me know.
Prince of Boredom
member, 18 posts
Sat 26 Mar 2022
at 22:00
  • msg #2

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

Urban fantasy presents a different feel and approach from the standard D&D campaign, so it could definitely be interesting. There might be some interesting subclasses that don't get much love in a traditional campaign that could thrive in an urban setting. And having to deal with the city watch, the fact that you can't just murderhobo you're way through every problem, and making sure not to cast fireball in a crowded street would make for a nice contrast.
borderline_dnd
member, 426 posts
Sat 26 Mar 2022
at 22:08
  • msg #3

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

Yes. Very interested
dlantoub
member, 267 posts
Anime Fan
Virtually all genres
Sat 26 Mar 2022
at 23:01
  • msg #4

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

Interested. Is there a specific ruleset for this type of setting because Druids and barbarians are traditionally more wilds type of classes. Ranger potentially as well,but I can see rangers as part of an urban city as kind of private detectives.
crownblade
member, 376 posts
Sat 26 Mar 2022
at 23:59
  • msg #5

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5

In reply to dlantoub (msg # 4):

Not a specific ruleset as such, though as said in another post, some subclasses might fit in better than others. As for druids and barbarians, there are options, a druid could for example percieve the city as just another type of ecology or ‘wild’ in need of someone to guide/protect it. Barbarians or berserker type char. would also be possible as bareknuckle boxers/hired muscle. Or alternatively both could simple be outsiders/newcomers.
Morse
member, 1 post
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 00:47
  • msg #6

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5E

FWIW, a Barbarian is just an instinctive fighter as opposed to a Fighter or Monk. While you may associate them with tribal cultures in fantasy, earth history has plenty of examples of people getting into a sort of Rage state during combat or other extreme situations. At their very mechanical core a Barbarian is just someone who's a little bit more in tune with that side of them than others.

On topic, I've always preferred urban settings to spelunking or roughing it. Not the biggest fan of D&D but it's serviceable enough. I'd be curious to know if we're still looking for the standard fantasy party or something more... subtle, given the environment. Cities seem like the wrong place for polearms and fireballs.
Greymist
member, 22 posts
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 01:23
  • msg #7

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5E

Sounds very interesting to me. As others have said playing without being able to rely on blowing everything and everyone up at any given moment would make for a very different game from standard D&D. It would also provide an opportunity to get away from the damage-per-round optimisation that pervades so many games.

The actual city-setting would also provide a lot of choice for the game. Would it be fantastic like Waterdeep or Greyhawk or gritty like Sanctuary or Lankhmar?

I can see playing a Thief that resembles the AD&D version of the class as opposed to the glass cannon of 5E.

I would definitely be interested in playing if you end up running something like this.
Smoot
member, 153 posts
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 02:16
  • msg #8

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5E

I'm interested, too, but I would also be interested in what sort of city you're picturing?

King's Landing (Song of Ice and Fire), Liavek (Liavek), Tremontaine (Swordspoint), Ankh-Morpork (Discworld), Minas Tirith (Lord of the Rings), would all be kind of different flavors, you know?

(It just means different character options. I'm into it, in general.)
This message was last edited by the user at 02:22, Sun 27 Mar 2022.
crownblade
member, 377 posts
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 14:43
  • msg #9

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5E

I have an idea for a large independent port city, a centre of commerce and of people from all over. While there would be fantastical elements, it would be less than the examples given and have a more gritty feel.
With the city being unafiliated with any particular nation it might draw in a lot ppl but perhaps have limited space, so there would be areas that would feel cramped and claustrophobic.
Lord Psynister
member, 183 posts
@Psynister on socials
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 14:49
  • msg #10

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

I could certainly be up for joining in on this.
RosstoFalstaff
member, 209 posts
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 15:04
  • msg #11

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5E

Certainly sounds interesting, and I've always got 5e characters to apply with.

The beauty of 5e is it doesn't even lock druid, ranger and barbarian into being nature people. The skills can come from a background and there's enough options for them that they can simply be sages, soldiers, priests and criminals instead even without considering background
Lord Psynister
member, 184 posts
@Psynister on socials
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 15:06
  • msg #12

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

I've had a lot of fun with an urban druid in 5E. You can reflavor any class to fit in just fine with this setting. Getting a little bit creative with your character can get you really invested in them, too.

I only play D&D, and certainly prefer 5E these days to any other edition, so if it moved to a different system I would probably drop, but if we stick to 5E I'd love to be there.
Lord Psynister
member, 185 posts
@Psynister on socials
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 15:14
  • msg #13

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

I believe I also have enough friends on the site to get you up to whatever player count you're looking for.
Prince of Boredom
member, 19 posts
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 15:41
  • msg #14

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

I would say there is already plenty of interest in this thread, even without bringing more people into the fold.
crownblade
member, 378 posts
Sun 27 Mar 2022
at 15:56
  • msg #15

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

Agreed, I'll start working on it.
crownblade
member, 379 posts
Thu 31 Mar 2022
at 17:40
  • msg #16

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

Just checking in to say I am still working on setting up the game and getting it ready for RTJ's.

The game's introduction, as kind of a preview.

Port Azure, free city, learned centre of commerce and trade. The name conjures a lot of different images in most people of the known world. Images of merchant ships bearing glorious wonders and goods from across the world, of brave explorers, thinkers and rugged sailors, of strange exotic white buildings built with the immense wealth of the merchants. Those who have been there or call it home however know that this is merely just a facade, the gilt veneer that hides a more complicated truth.

Situated on the island of Halra off the coast of the Zaharian Empire, Port Azure is an independent city, its freedom bought from the Emperors by the shrewd manueverings of the Merchant Prince, and the guild council who now rule it, and maintained by political treaties, trade alliances, gold and more than a little spilt blood.

This where our story unfolds, from the poor cavern like streets of the Warrens to the gilded halls of the guild manses. Welcome to Port Azure.
branmac
member, 83 posts
Thu 31 Mar 2022
at 20:48
  • msg #17

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

I like what you have for the setting and it sounds like a great game. Too often the urban options are glossed over for the dungeons. Count me interested.
crownblade
member, 380 posts
Sun 3 Apr 2022
at 19:10
  • msg #18

IC: Trad. fantasy urban 5e

I am currently still working on getting the game set up, writing out the background for the setting and adventure starting point, but I wanted the eventual players to have a chance to influence this as I was writing it, so with that in mind I have opened up the game to RTJs. Now this will not be a first come first served application process, but since you guys were first to express interest I wanted to give you first crack at it.

So if you're still interested please head over and give a read to what's there so far and drop me an RTJ.

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