In response to a request on "GM wanted", I'm going to start up a small beginner game. Nothing fancy, and using PHB only, to start (if you can handle all the options in the various books out there, you're not a beginner), and Human only (more of a setting issue).

Basically a group of Norse colonists heading for Vinland. And, for a twist, a shipwreck at the end of the trip, but not impossibly far from Vinland itself.

Race and class options kept simple as it's a beginner/learning game, and equipment handled by the DM to start.

If desired the game can grow past this point, and other books can be opened up for use, preferably before 3rd level, but we shall see.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:26, Mon 04 July 2022.

So you know I will be using my own setting, more or less based on Earth and Earth legend and history (cherry picked to suit, of course).

While the general character creation rules for that setting are reasonably broad, given legendary limits (elves and dwarves are only found in Western and Northern European myth, for instance), none of it will really apply to this game. Character creation liits for this game can be found in another thread (suitably labeled).

Still, if you're interested, the main setting can be found at link to another game

It is worth noting that the Western continents are barred by a couple of issues. Two of them are noted on maps: Dragons and Monsters. As in "Here There Be...". Toss in weather (Ie: hurricane season in North America) and most dark age ships just couldn't hope to make it.

Then the son of some Norse red headed Jarl took ship and went West along the northern icepack. He discovered and colonized three new islands. Green Iceland, cold Greenland, and Vinland. Vinland is almost within sight of the Western Continent.

Of course, all three had folks already living there, but when did that ever bother Europeans?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:20, Sun 10 July 2022.

For now I'll keep things simple, and add to this section later.

Use Blue highlighting for speech.
Use Orange highlighting for OOC and put it at the bottom of the post

Red and Green (both shades) are for me. Please don't use them.

Do not send me unsolicited rolls. If I need one, I'll ask for it and tell you which skill to use. All to often players pick the wrong skills to roll, anyhow, and this is supposed to be a beginner's game, so it's likely to happen a fair bit.

I will tend to roll information and perception skills for you, to keep the results of the roll from affecting the results of the action. And yes, active uses of pretty much any skill requires an Action.

I don't make Character Sheets user Editable. Sorry, but I use them as my Masters to reference from phone, laptop, etc.

You will be able to see them., proofread them, complain about issues with them, etc. I will have to fix those issues or explain why they are NOT issues. Truthfully, when they happen, they usually are.

Yes it's a bit more work for me. But you know, when I started that, all those Cornucopia items I never gave folks disappeared, and a week's rations only lasted a week, not a year. Odd that.

Anyhow, I'll make changes as needed, whether it's to move something from pack to pouch, or change a spell mix (assuming your class allows for that). You/re still responsible for verifying accuracy.

Also, please note that skills have letter designations. This is just a quick reference to where and how you learned the skill. If two letters appear this means you have Expertise in that skill.

The codes:
(R)ace
(B)ackground
(C)lass
(F)eat

Truthfully, they letters won't matter except at character creation, usually, but they help then.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:22, Sun 10 July 2022.

The game is a little short on limits to anything carried on the outside. I've seen more than one pack with more weight strapped to the outside than the inside can hold. The game seems to allow that (and, in the case of packs and gear on the outside, mentions it specifically).

However, I try to set logical limits where I can. You can't fight with a weapon if you hands are full (yes, it's come up). Too much on a belt pulls belt and pants down (Plumbers/contractors Butt), etc

So, as belts are the issue for this game...

Everyone starts with a belt pouch and dagger. no problem. The game allows for a spell component pouch for those that don't use a Focus. Again, that's fine. Personally, most weapons would probably weigh enough to cause issues, but, in a fight, the weapon is generally not on the belt during the times it would matter.

So: 2 pouches, a dagger and one weapon are my limit. Again my limit, not a canon rule.

Now, most of you actually have 2 pouches. I've replaced the "spell component" option with a "tool kit" option, basically. Luckily most of you with tool training choose a proficiency with a tool kit that weighed 6 pounds or less. In some cases "tool kit" was broadly interpreted.

Survival will do a lot, but it has limits

A leatherworker can make leather goods. pretty much any, given time, although without a smith or other such source, it's limited to sewn leather products only. Leather Armor, not Studded Leather, Sacks andpouched, but not bedrolls or blankets.

Actually, kill a bear, do well on the skinning and tanning, and the hide, s oos, makes the bottom part of a good set of bedding. Survival is all you need, well, and a couple of bears willing to die for your comfort.

A Wood carver can make arrows as part of a short or long rest. Of course, he'll need materials, which means a special foraging task during travel (ie: proper wood and feathers rather than food and water). he can also make pretty much any other purely wooden weapon. Clubs and staves are easy and quick, bows may take some time and involve a few days foraging for just the right bit of wood. Even darts and spears are possible, all deding on how much time you want to spend in one place.

Other tool skills allow for other things, but you don't have them. Still, that should be enough for some improvements if you feel the need.