The document provides an overview of the Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus D&D adventure module. It outlines key details about the plot, which takes players from levels 1 to 13 as they journey from Baldur's Gate to the first layer of the Nine Hells. It also establishes several rules for playing the campaign, including encouraging teamwork and flexibility given the harsh and cruel challenges of the module. Finally, it offers character creation tips and opens a discussion on options for running the game.
The document provides an overview of the Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus D&D adventure module. It outlines key details about the plot, which takes players from levels 1 to 13 as they journey from Baldur's Gate to the first layer of the Nine Hells. It also establishes several rules for playing the campaign, including encouraging teamwork and flexibility given the harsh and cruel challenges of the module. Finally, it offers character creation tips and opens a discussion on options for running the game.
The document provides an overview of the Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus D&D adventure module. It outlines key details about the plot, which takes players from levels 1 to 13 as they journey from Baldur's Gate to the first layer of the Nine Hells. It also establishes several rules for playing the campaign, including encouraging teamwork and flexibility given the harsh and cruel challenges of the module. Finally, it offers character creation tips and opens a discussion on options for running the game.
The document provides an overview of the Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus D&D adventure module. It outlines key details about the plot, which takes players from levels 1 to 13 as they journey from Baldur's Gate to the first layer of the Nine Hells. It also establishes several rules for playing the campaign, including encouraging teamwork and flexibility given the harsh and cruel challenges of the module. Finally, it offers character creation tips and opens a discussion on options for running the game.
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What you know
First of all, the promotional info:
FORGE YOUR FATE IN HELLFIRE!
Diabolical dangers await in this adventure for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.
Welcome to Baldur's Gate, a city of ambition and corruption. You’ve just started your adventuring career, but already find yourself embroiled in a plot that sprawls from the shadows of Baldur's Gate to the front lines of the planes-spanning Blood War! Do you have what it takes to turn infernal war machines and nefarious contracts against the archdevil Zariel and her diabolical hordes? And can you ever hope to find your way home safely when pitted against the infinite evils of the Nine Hells?
● This heroic Dungeons & Dragons adventure book takes players from levels 1 to 13 as they journey through Baldur's Gate and into Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells. ● Baldur's Gate is among the most iconic locations in fantasy culture. A mist-cloaked metropolis on the Sword Coast, it’s a place of history and a home to heroes. ● The book introduces the infernal war machines to fifth edition D&D—battle-ready vehicles, which you can customize as you blast off into the Blood War. ● Dungeon Masters will entice their heroes with devils' deals, designed to lure adventurers with the ultimate temptations of power and treasure.
Also, you’re all familiar with Baldur’s Gate. I strongly recommend you read the Gazetteer available here. Yes it’s long at 41 pages, but it will be invaluable. At least skim it. The art is nice.
We need to agree on a few things, all of which is open to discussion:
Rules
Rule 0: I make mistakes. Feel free to call me out. But be prepared to read the rule to me. If you’re still unhappy with my ruling, we’ll discuss it after the session.
Rule 1: You are a team. Plan your character with others so you synergize. Conflict with other party members should be at a minimum. Teamwork is necessary. This module is unforgiving and cruel! - 1.5 You will have a shared background - a Dark Secret "Every member of the party is entangled in this dark secret, regardless of how new they are to the city or how incorruptible their morals."
Rule 2: We need to agree to play the module. This means bite the hooks. If an NPC says “You’ll need to go to Hell to do X” and you say “Fuck X” the module is concluded, and everyone moves to Cormyr to retire to their potato farm. This module assumes you want to prevent a catastrophe, build that into your character even if it’s only for self-interest. Addendum 1: Avernus is Hell, and your victories will be undercut. This is the theme of the module and not only me being a dick.
Alignment
You can play an Evil character.
- Don’t be Stupid Evil (I suggest playing Lawful Evil) - Be complex. Maybe you like animals, or are an excellent parent, or value friendship, but also maybe your goal is to be the tyrant lord of Baldur’s Gate. - You also - for whatever reason you come up with - trust and rely on the rest of the party.
Don’t get too excited about playing an evil character though, the greatest rewards in the module are for characters who are Good. - However, it’s not called the High Road for nothing. This path is harder, and many doors in Avernus will be closed. - Don’t be Stupid Good. - Even a Good character may need to negotiate with a devil instead of blindly attacking.
Characters best suited to take advantage of the module will have flexible ethics
Tips
Characters with special hooks will be the following:
- Aasimar - Tiefling (Especially Avernan) - Followers of Torm, Helm, Lathander - Opposed to Bane, Baal, Myrkl - A warlock with a devil pact (especially an Avernian fiend) - Dragonborn or other draconic lineage - Follower of Tiamat - Do you have a familiar? Consider a tressym - Trained in smith tools or tinker tools
Expect to spend time in Baldur’s Gate. You will be there for several levels. Plan and gear yourself up before going anywhere. In general there’s no rush to achieve your goals.
The module expects you to do more than just stand and fight. Think about using your environment, using bystanders and thinking creatively. Your clever use of these resources will be essential to your survival, especially at the start of the module.
On that note: Got money? Get hirelings.
This module has variant backgrounds and an additional background. Take advantage of them.
Special Rules
I will hand out character summary cards for you to fill out which will most importantly include your background, Bonds, Flaws and Ideals.
I will be generous with Inspiration, so use it. Keep the following in mind: If you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. Spending your inspiration gives you advantage on that roll. Additionally, if you have inspiration, you can reward another player for good roleplaying, clever thinking, or simply doing something exciting in the game. When another player character does something that really contributes to the story in a fun and interesting way, you can give up your inspiration to give that character inspiration.
Milestone leveling. No XP. You level at story-specific points defined by the module.
“Run Away” If the party as a group decides to run away, we’ll end the combat and you withdraw without further complication. - We’ll move to skill checks only if one or more of you is captured, incapacitated, seperated or other DM’s discretion situation
Let’s Talk
What would you like?
- By the book. Start at level 1. Brutal. Death is likely. Bragging rights. - Start at level 3. Still hard, but more relaxed. - Keith wanted firearms, which are very rare in Toril. Is this something you’d like to see more of? - I have never played the videogames, but they are canon. Is there something from the games you’d like to see in BG:DiA? - In my head canon, the Hells are connected to many planes of existence, not just Toril. We might see beings from Greyhawk, Spelljammer, Eberron, Dragonlance, heck maybe even our world. Are you OK with this? - Should we pitch in and get this? It’s expensive for dice and a cookie tin, but it has handouts and some added flavour. - Hero Forge minis? - If we want NPC minis I’ll need a lot of devils and demons. - Paper minis?
Character Creation starts now
- Stat up and pick class as a group
- Discuss group background and dark secret. - Pick background, Bonds, Flaws and Ideals - Pick group background and dark secret as a group - Everything else - If characters are complete, we can talk about how the dark secret played out and how everyone met. - https://i.imgur.com/Cn776EM.gifv
The Ultimate RPG Guide Boxed Set: Featuring The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide, The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide, and The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide
The Ultimate RPG Guide Boxed Set: Featuring The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide, The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide, and The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide
