Since there have been some questions about characters from sources outside the PH I want to comment on that briefly. 

First, I did say that most sources are available.  Just check with me first.  I said that and I'll stick by that even if D&D Beyond ends up with a few qeaknesses due to it.  We can work with it.

Second, the Blacktooth Ridge is technically set in a corner of the Forgotten Realms.  It is pretty traditional PH style D&D.  This means the world you are in will look a certain way and have certain expectations.

Third, these expectations may cause some issues for characters as they move through the world.  For example, in most worlds a Minotaur is a monstrous beast that attacks on sight.  But the Ravnica book allows minotaur characters.  If you tried to play one in the Forgotten Realms you could expect everyone to react to you as if you were a monstrous beast.  At least in some places.  This might be modified somewhat - we can work on adjustments if needed.  But I do want to point this out.  Standing out as different can be kinda cool and it can make life difficult. 

As an example, Tann's character of Steel is a warforged character from Eberron.  There are not a lot of those wandering around the Forgotten Realms.  He will likely get mistaken for a golem in some places.  Some people may not think he is a "person."  This is less likely to be an issue in bigger cites, but you are not starting in a city.  Who knows, maybe I'll make them more common in one area if the game goes long enough.  Still, this character isn't likely to be looked at as a monster - he won't get the minotaur treatment.  But people might think he belongs to the mage in the group. 

If you have questions, just ask.  In a world with 50 different intelligent races, a 51st wouldn't attract as much attention as one would in our world, but locals still expect their world to look a certain way.

There is room for whatever, although a third rougish player wouldn't be the best fit.  Then again, a mage makes three of those.  Best fit would be a fighter type, but whatever.  Honestly, you guys have to make it work.  The bases are covered, so I'll work with whatever.  When can you get it done by?

I saw that . . . sadness. 

He didn't even quite make it to his hundred and eleventieth birthday.  But it was a good amount of time for such an honorable hobbit to be amongst us. 

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

He has now been swept off to another adventure.

Hey if it is easier and you don't mind, I'm all for it.  I hadn't even though about just doing rolls on that. 

Dragon-Soul92.   Yeah, we could take on another.  I'd rather start with an extra or two.  If the group is a bit big, no problem, I know how to increase the # of monsters . . . .

Right now we have:

Keeper of Dragons – High Elf Thief - Hornet

Tann – Warforged Fighter - Steel

Nimu – Elven Wizard - Soledad

Hammer – Hill Dwarf Cleric – Dok

Mischief - Rogue - Silver

Aryn - Warlock

Dragon-Soul

As you can see, we can use whatever.  I guess another rogue might not be a great choice.

Hammer's Dok is 90% done.  The rest of you - are you about ready?  I'm not trying to push, just to get a sense of where we are.

Hammer - there is no reason to leave.  We can just post your character here on the RDI.  Possibly I'll get it posted on the other site as well so it is there.  No worries.  It is, ultimately, a RDI game, not a D&D Beyond game.

I like the site D&D Beyond and may well end up building more stuff there in the future.  But for now I don't think I am going to be buying the resources there.  Each book seems to be about $30 - at least the Eberron book in which Tann's warforged character can be found is.  While that isn't a ton of money, it also isn't nothing - especially if I end up needing to recreate an entire collection I already have in paper.  So what does this mean?  It means not everything is available to everyone on that site.  However, I don't think there is much reason not to allow people to use those materials if they want to do so.  The options as I see them are:

1.  Just use the basic stuff from the PH and it seems to let you build what you want from that.

2.  If you want to use additional materials you can still do it on D&D Beyond if you have access to another campaign in which to build the character - as Tann did.  If you want your character on this site, perhaps Tann would be so good as to input the info for you if you need access to additional materials.

3.  The traditional Red Dragon Inn way still works.  You can always make up a character and send it to me - I'll post it on the first page of the Q&A section for everyone to see.  It would mean that passibly not everyone's character is in the same spot, but it works.  Most of the books can be found as a pdf online if you want to use them.

4.  I may look into buying just a few classes or races if that is needed as it seems that might be doable at a lower price, but I don't think it is a priority.

***I want to stress that I don't think any of the things in the other books are better then the basics.  You know how the game works, if you want an advantage in one area, you need to give up something elsewhere.  If something is unbalanced it won't happen.  So I don't think anyone is missing anything. 

Tann's character and Mischief's character can be friends of a sort if it helps Tann assist Mischief to learn things.  Since the group will know each other before hand anyway (at least mostly) I don't see this as a problem.  I also know that Tann has been quite clear in his games that in-party fighting is not acceptable, so I don't think this will be done in a way that breaks the party up in any way.  In fact, lets just say it won't be. 

The four that are up are generally looking good with a couple minor questions I have sent out.

Nimu - does your character have a name?

I know Hammer's is under way so we will be moving along shortly.

The four that are up are generally looking good with a couple minor questions I have sent out.

Nimu - does your character have a name?

I know Hammer's is under way so we will be moving along shortly.

Fixer grabs a seat at the table.  The place makes him nervous, but right now it is probably more about him then it is about the place.  A sea-side dive for the hard-working shoremen.  It seemed so traditional.  Cannery Row and what-not.  But as long as those sailers focused on their chowder he was ok with it.  He'd started quietly looking around for any sign of listening devices when the waitress appeared.  She was cute and the boots actually brought a smile to Fixer's face. 

"I'll take a menu," he said and quickly perused the sheet and ordered.  Nothing complicated, nothing fresh.  But food. 

That done, he finished his quick scan for listening devices.  Why would there be any here?  To listen to sailors and dock-workers talk of ship-wrecks?  But he looked anyway.  Being hunted gave one certain habits.

When food had been ordered and delivered he looked at Casino and started things off with a simple, "Well?"

Talent trees - as was noted that info is in a post by Tann - if you need me to I can send it in a message.  It looks like it is just an option - kind of like expanded feats in the Players Handbook.  In other words, an option beyond just the stat pump you get at some points.  You do not need to use it and it isn't a big advantage.  It is just an alternative for specializing your own character.  Use it or don't, it is up to you.

My next move is to make sure I get Hammer some help and to look over what you guys have up on D&D Beyond.  We are getting close.

1.  Know each other ahead of time or just getting to know you?  Whatever.  I guess for simplicity sake I'd probably have you know each other ahead of time - your third level and perhaps have worked together before.  Or, if you have read the brief intro, you got together to come to Botkinburg.  But if your'd rather just all meet there that is fine also.  I'll assume you know each other until you tell me otherwise.

2.  Talent trees are ok.  But send me the details of whatever you are doing since I am not familiar with them beyond the quick read I did a few days ago. 

3.  Mischief getting some help with the character - sure, why not? 

4.  Looking into getting things on D&D Beyond.  Haven't had time to look closely.

Thanks Tann.

If I have to buy a book or two it probably isn't the end of the world.  Let me know what you learn.  And I'll keep poking around.  People can go ahead and develop what they have so far.

Keeper -

Do you know where on the site I go to enable different classes that aren't in the basic rulebook?  When I set up a campaign it is obvious how to invite players and post a message, but not much more.  if you aren't sure I can dig, but I figured it might be faster to ask.

Just checking, but this is what I have at this point: 

Keeper of Dragons – High Elf Thief Assassin - Hornet

Tann – Warforged Fighter - Steel

Nimu – Elven Wizard

Hammer – Hill Dwarf Cleric – Dok

Mischief - Rogue

*Saved by DM for key information*

*Saved by DM for key information*

*Saved by DM for key information*

*Saved by DM for key information*

*Saved by DM for key information*

*Saved by DM for key information*

*Saved by DM for key information*

A map of the region - hand drawn courtesy of my artistic abilities.  Apologies that it is a bit hard to read.  Although strangers to this land you have a general idea of what is out there.  This is just the big picture.  For a sense of distance - it is a bit over a days ride from Botkinburg to Ludenshiem. Some notes on locations on the map:  (North is to the top of the map.)

Botkinburg - Located in the bottom right of the map near a bend in the Hreusen River.  A small town and the parties current location. 

Ludensheim - A bit over a days ride to the west/north  along the river.  A fair amount bigger than Botkinburg and the biggest thing within any reasonable distance.

The Hreusen River flows through the region starting at Wickham lake in the West and travelling along the Ridgepassing into the Southlands.

South of this map are more thoroughly settled lands.  There is a lot of wilderness between these settlements.

Gronit Mirk - Dead center on the map is a forest of ill repute.

Town names starting at Botkinburg and going Northwest along the river are:  Ludensheim, Posit, Silverpike, Shiefell and Wickham.

Aufstrugg - The original and main fortress of the Horned One many, many years ago.  You don't know the exact location but it is roughly at the end of the hills in the middle of the swamp.  

Plains of Achrothos - A large region of plains and rolling hill.  There are few permanent settlements and it is primarly the home of nomadic peoples of various races.

Totten Hills - Low Mountains and as Gerdar could tell you, once home to a strong clan of dwarves before the coming of the Horned One.

Map of Botkinburg

The Party as it currently exits

Tann – 1/2 elf Wizard/Rogue/Swashbuckler - Fenris Kaine

Nimu – Elven Wizard - Soledad

Altaira - Human Monk - D'Harum

Dragon-Sould92 – Elvish Eldritch Knight - Thaoran

TheyCallMeTom - Dwarf Paladin - Gerdar

Jimsapps - Goliath Druid - Uthall Valagan

Blacktooth Ridge

Character Creation Basics: 

We will be starting at Third level – a relatively low level starter campaign, but not total rookies.

Stats:  Point-buy system ala the Players Handbook.

Money:  You can have the max for your class – Plus an extra 75gp for being third level.  Not much, but a tiny bonus.

Hit points:  Take the max at first level, but then roll for second and third level.  Or just use the average given in the Players Handbook.   But max for first level.

Character info:  I will be posting your character sheets on the Q&A thread for the game. If you have any information or background for your character that you would prefer others in the party not to know, pleases make sure you tell me so when getting me your character.

What type of adventure is it?  This will start with some outdoor stuff.  Find the dungeon and then you can crawl.  It will actually start in a village – the extent of roll-playing with the NPCs is entirely up to you.  If you want I can speed you through it.  If you want to make it a big part of the campaign, that works as well.  My tendency is to move that stuff quickly or it could bog things down for months.

Posting:   The goal is one post a week. 

An Introduction to my GM style and the Blacktooth Ridge Campaign

GM Philosophy:  The GM/DM is god.  Blunt enough?  What I mean is that while I will certainly be using the rules and running things according to the dice rolls and preplanned game-plan, in the end what I say happens is what happens.  You are welcome to let me know how the rules play – I’m decent with 5E but certainly not an expert.  But ultimately, I want to keep things moving and make for a good game.  I also reserve the right to do things like change monsters, magic items and other such things.  You may think you know what an Ogre is like, but it is my ogre, so be careful.  Honestly, I don’t change that much.  But I might.  Creatures from Magic the Gathering showed up in my last campaign.  This really just a long-winded way of saying rules-lawyers aren’t likely to get the judgement they want.  Not all the time anyway.  The goal is a good game.

               With that goal in mind I want to remind you that death is possible.  I’d rather the characters not die, but if you make foolish decisions (Or the dice gods truly hate you) you will suffer the consequences.  The Blacktooth Ridge is a dangerous place and there are things there that are much stronger than you when you start out.  Be careful.

               Dice rolls once the game begins:  After talking to several people who run games at the Red Dragon Inn site I have decided that it will be easiest if I handle the dice rolls.  You tell me what you want to do in your posts and I will tell you the results. 

An Introduction to Assault on the Blacktooth Ridge

               This is a partially pre-fab campaign.  The rough outline and a bunch of basic locations are ready made.  However, a lot of the area is left blank.  A lot of the details are missing.  So, there is also a lot that will be my addition to this rough outline.   There is some starting information in the game thread that might be useful as you consider your character.

*I do not expect posts yet.  I am still getting this set up.

*You will be getting a message from me with an invite to D&D Beyond for characters.   Assuming it works as well as recommendations suggest, we will also utilize that site.