Play by Post (PbP): THE SHATTERED OBELISK | Currently Level 7
Dungeons & Dragons 5e | Campaign
About the adventure
Embark on an enthralling quest in Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk, an adventure that plunges you into the mystical heart of Phandalin, a town teetering on the brink of chaos. Whether you're new arrivals or seasoned adventurers returning from the legendary Lost Mine of Phandelver campaign, Phandalin now presents an enigma that darkens its skies and stirs its depths. Unveil the looming terror as you uncover devotees to entities of pure malevolence. The clock is ticking, and only by untangling the cult's complex schemes can you hope to thwart their apocalyptic vision. As the stakes rise, so too does the danger, spiraling into battles that are both terrestrial and cosmic. Will you avert Phandalin's fate and disband the looming shadow, or will the town fall, becoming the cornerstone of a new empire of darkness? 🕰️ This campaign unfolds in a Play-by-Post (PbP) format, facilitated through a dedicated Discord server. The game is fully compatible with a broad range of devices, including mobiles, tablets, and phones. As your Dungeon Master, I'll be checking in and updating the game multiple times daily. Players are encouraged to participate at least once a day, especially when their characters are involved in active scenes.
Game style
Rules as Written (RaW)
Games that are ran “Rules as Written” emphasize realism and stick to the letter of the rules, allowing players to explore creative solutions while still operating under a consistent rule set. Players have the ability to utilize the rules in creative ways to create awesome characters and moments in the game.
Rule of Cool (RoC)
“Rule of Cool” emphasizes creative story beats over sticking to a system’s rules as written. Players have the ability to push the limits of the rules or even break core rule mechanics at times if the Game Master thinks it is interesting, fun, or cool enough.
Dungeon Crawl
A “Dungeon Crawl” is a scenario where players navigate a dungeon or labyrinth-like environment for the entirety of the adventure. It emphasizes battling monsters, collecting loot, and avoiding traps to survive to the end!
Theater of the Mind
“Theater of the Mind” uses little to no visuals for scene settings and combat. Instead, the narrative imagery comes from the Game Master’s descriptions and character action and movement comes from Players’ descriptions.
A play-by-post campaign run entirely on Discord, with updates posted several times daily, throughout the week!
5.0
(152)
2 years on StartPlaying
1901 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Storytelling
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
Game Master Reviews (152)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Teacher
Storytelling
Santiago Cardona
New review
Played 3 sessions
Really organised and makes it very easy to get get started. Knowledgable, patient and fun.
GM Gator
New review
Played 6 sessions
I've only been Noralf's PbP game for a few weeks, but am blown away. Their discord site is well organized, the game is well run, and Noralf really knows how to engage the players without railroading them. Getting into one of their sessions is like getting a Nat 20 on a luck check - you won't be disappointed!
Fiznaut
New review
Played 3 sessions
Noralf is detail oriented, and focuses on immersion. He has refined his GM craft, making it an art. He also is kind and gracious-he had to step away for a week and reduced the rate for the missed week-was very up front about it. The only feedback is perhaps add a requested minimum number of posts for players to keep engaged-this amps up the value of the game because the campaign moves at a steady and reliable pace.
Michael Cope
New review
Played 3 sessions
Noralf has creative and deep insights into the worlds he runs. Magic items are bountiful and the Party seemed to know each other really well, which means he fosters a strong community. I highly recommend for anyone seeking a casual experience with rich storytelling, lots of loot and great systems to interact with. He has a great community.
David
Played 8 sessions
I highly recommend Noralf as a Dungeon Master. Having played with him in a play-by-post format, I’ve seen firsthand his skill in storytelling, game mechanics, and managing AVRAE for smooth Discord-based play. He knows the rules well and balances structure with flexibility, making the game engaging for both new and experienced players. Though I never had the chance to play a live session with him, I have no doubt he would be just as exceptional in that setting. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and dedicated DM, Noralf is a fantastic choice.
Justin Salonko
Played 1 sessions
Noralf was an incredible GM! It was our groups first time playing D&D online and he was very patient and helpful getting us going. We reached out for a one shot and he was very responsive and worked with us to find the perfect game for what we wanted. He was incredibly nice and authentic and we had a great time. His voices and style of play were entertaining and kept us engaged the entire time. His use of TTV maps added a layer of experience we had not had before. If you're looking for a GM either for a campaign or just a one shot I would highly recommend reaching out to him!
Additional tables
1 available
Weekly / Wednesday - 10:00 PM UTC
1 / 7 Seats filled
Additional details
How to prepare
Platform: We will be using Discord for this game. No webcam or microphone is required since our game is text-based. Game Understanding: Familiarity with Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules is helpful but not mandatory. We'll clarify rules as we go and support new players! Character Creation: Characters will be created before the game begins, with assistance provided if needed. We will be using D&D Beyond for character creation. Software: All that's required is Discord. You can play this campaign on any device - even mobile Tools: DND Beyond account for your character sheet. Within Discord, we'll use the Avrae bot will be 💬 Discord: Ensure you have access to Discord and a good quality mic. 🎲 D&D Basics: Familiarity with D&D 5e rules is a plus, but not essential. New players are welcome and guidance will be provided. 📖 Character Sheets: Use D&D Beyond for creating and managing your character sheets. 🧠Mindset: Bring your imagination and a cooperative spirit for a fun, engaging storytelling experience!used for dice rolling and combat management. If you haven't used Avrae before, it can be picked up quickly, and I'm here to help! Mindset: Come prepared for an immersive storytelling experience! This game thrives on cooperation, creativity, and respect for each other's narratives.
What I provide
What I'll Bring to Our Tabletop Adventure: 📚 D&D Beyond Content: You'll have access to all official D&D sourcebooks and adventure modules. Character sheets and resources will be available and easily accessible to enhance our game sessions. 🎨 Creative Storytelling and Ambient Music: Expect a rich, immersive narrative enhanced with ambient music to set the mood and deepen the gaming experience. 🤖 Tactical and Intense Combat: Prepare for strategically challenging encounters. I aim to balance tactical depth with fast-paced action to keep combat exciting and engaging. 🗺️ Custom Maps and Tokens: Visual aids like custom maps and tokens will be used to enrich your understanding of the environment and help track your adventures visually. 🎲 Rule of Cool: I embrace the Rule of Cool, prioritizing fun and dramatic moments over strict adherence to rules. 📖 Third-Party Sourcebooks and Custom Crafting Rules: Open to using third-party content to enrich the game, provided it enhances our adventure and maintains game balance. Additionally, custom crafting rules will be available to allow more personalized gear and items.
Gameplay details
What I'll Bring to Our Tabletop Adventure: 📚 D&D Beyond Content: You'll have access to all official D&D sourcebooks and adventure modules. Character sheets and resources will be available and easily accessible to enhance our game sessions. 🎨 Creative Storytelling and Ambient Music: Expect a rich, immersive narrative enhanced with ambient music to set the mood and deepen the gaming experience. 🤖 Tactical and Intense Combat: Prepare for strategically challenging encounters. I aim to balance tactical depth with fast-paced action to keep combat exciting and engaging. 🗺️ Custom Maps and Tokens: Visual aids like custom maps and tokens will be used to enrich your understanding of the environment and help track your adventures visually. 🎲 Rule of Cool: I embrace the Rule of Cool, prioritizing fun and dramatic moments over strict adherence to rules. 📖 Third-Party Sourcebooks and Custom Crafting Rules: Open to using third-party content to enrich the game, provided it enhances our adventure and maintains game balance. Additionally, custom crafting rules will be available to allow more personalized gear and items.
Content warnings
• Animal abuse
• Animal Death
• Mind Control
• Snakes
• Spiders
Safety tools used
• Lines and Veils
• Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist
• Open Door
• Session 0
• Stars and Wishes
How will character creation work
🤝 Session Zero Collaboration: We'll collaboratively create characters during our session zero. 💻 Platform: Characters will be created using D&D Beyond. 📚 Source Material: All D&D 5E sourcebooks available on D&D Beyond can be used. 🛠️ Character Creation Assistance: I'm here to help you craft a character that fits both your vision and our campaign’s theme. Let’s bring your hero to life together!. ✨ Personal Touch: Encouraged to bring your own unique ideas and creativity to your character's story and abilities.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
High
Roleplay
Medium
Puzzles
Low
Experience level
Beginner
Platforms used
• D&D Beyond
• Discord
• Text/Play by Post
• Owlbear Rodeo
$30.00
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Weekly / Sunday - 10:00 AM UTC
Apr 6 / Session 54
3-168 Hour duration
5 / 7 Seats filled
Schedule
Requirements
Experience required: Beginner
Age: 18+