(PbP): SALTMARSH/CALL FROM THE DEEP | Nautical Sandbox
Saltmarsh stands on the brink—pirates, cults, and politics collide as a sea-born mystery threatens the fate of the Sword Coast.
$13.50
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Thursday - 12:30 AM UTC
Session Duration / 3.5–4 hours
1 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Saltmarsh is a powder keg ready to explode, with ruthless pirates prowling the seas, shadowy cultists weaving dark rituals, and political machinations threatening to topple the balance of power. Heroes must navigate treacherous waters, both literal and political. Amidst this chaos, a mystery of unimaginable proportions looms in the Trackless Sea, one that could spell doom for the entire Sword Coast. Will you uncover the secrets and save the realm, or will you be swept away by the tides of treachery and danger? Dive into a campaign that seamlessly integrates homebrew and third party elements, chiefly JVC Parry’s “Call From the Deep” with the rich setting and characters of WOTC’s “Ghosts of Saltmarsh” adapted into the Sword Coast. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran, this player-driven narrative promises a unique and immersive experience tailored to your choices and actions. About this campaign: I loosely view this adventure as having two phases: Saltmarsh and Sea Exploration - Saltmarsh: Aside from perhaps Dragon Heist, few official modules foster a deep connection or sense of belonging to a specific area, allowing adventurers to care about it and witness the consequences of their actions, for better or worse. Saltmarsh and its surrounding region is a setting on the precipice of change, where old beliefs clash with new governmental reforms, and political schemes are reaching a boiling point. Amidst this turmoil, the common townsfolk strive to continue carving out their livelihoods as fishermen, while smuggling operations thrive in the shadowy alleys. This dynamic environment offers players rich political intrigue and a diverse array of NPCs, each with their own agendas and secrets. I have a profound love for the town of Saltmarsh and its many distinct personalities. This setting is one I know intimately, having run numerous adventures here, including a multi-year home game that remains active today. - Sea Exploration: Eventually, the call of the sea becomes irresistible. Players will have the opportunity to acquire their own ship and assemble a crew, setting sail to explore the vast Trackless Sea. This phase of the adventure transforms into a true sandbox environment, where the map opens wide, inviting players to uncover its great mysteries, encounter hidden dangers, and forge their own path in a world brimming with endless possibilities. Throughout both phases, players will embark on a variety of quests and narrative threads, ensuring a unique and refreshing experience where no encounter or story line feels the same.
Game style
Play By Post
Sandbox / Open World
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(9)
1 year on StartPlaying
42 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, World Builder
Average response time: 9 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Greetings, friends! I’m Chris, and I bring over 17 years of experience as a GM to our adventures. As a 3D artist and storyteller, Dungeons and Dragons has become the perfect outlet for my diverse creative passions. With more than a decade studying 3D environment art and game design, I’m excited to see what incredible stories we can craft together. Let’s embark on this journey and create unforgettable experiences!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Session Zero: - Characters creation will be a collaborative process during Session Zero. This will also be an opportunity to address any questions you have about the rules or the world, helping to ground your characters and enrich the overall narrative. *Session Zero will be free to all players. As a Play-by-Post game, Session Zero will encompass the first session week. * - Lvl 1 start - Point Buy (27) or Standard-array stats - Any race, class and background from any published work (WOTC or 3rd party). If you desire to play something non-standard, I will work with you to accommodate your choice within the world but Limitations may arise. - 2024 ruleset
What to expect
Preparing for the session
First time player? - D&D 5e experience is not required. Newcomers will learn quickly through engaged support. Discord: - Each session will be conducted in a Play-by-Post format entirely on Discord. You’ll need a free Discord account, which can be accessed via web app, desktop app, or mobile app. Avrae Bot: - Dice rolling, character integration, and other quality of life functions will be supported in Discord through the Avrae bot. No existing experience with Avrae is required but supporting documentation can be found here: https://avrae.readthedocs.io/en/stable/ D&D Beyond: - D&D Beyond will be used for creating and maintaining your character sheet. It can then be linked to Discord through the Avrae bot to support automation features.
What 3DM brings to the table
💥D&D Beyond Master Tier Subscription to support character creation. 💥Immersion: - Battlemaps will be used to support combat encounters. These maps will be posted in Discord and updated each turn to display each character or NPC movement. An alpha-numeric grid system will be included on each battlemap to support ease of reference. Every battlemap is personally crafted with a focus on detail and playability, utilizing a combination of Dungeondraft (with Crosshead Studios assets), Dungeon Alchemist, and Unreal Engine. Every map is created with sound level design principles, ensuring maximum strategic choice. - Over 3TB of high-quality miniature STL files which I convert and optimize for use as 2D tokens. Each figure is digitally painted to deliver an unparalleled experience. - In Play-by-Post games, I provide detailed and descriptive narration that engages all the senses, immersing players in the reality of the situation and their character’s surroundings.
Homebrew rules
🕹️Homebrew Rules: - Resources for spell components will not be tracked rather a focus or component pouch will stand in for material components to streamline and balance game play. - Flanking grants +2 to attack rolls - Optional equipment and weapon upgrade system using "The Complete Armorer's Handbook" (PDF provided to players).
Equipment needed to play
Computer or Mobile Device
Internet
Platforms used
Safety
How 3DM creates a safe table
⚔️ Combat/RP Ratio: While largely driven by party play style, I strive to offer a 50/50 split across a particular quest line. 🏅 Leveling: We will be using milestone leveling based on story driven progression. ☠️ Tone: Tone may vary widely depending on the particular quest underway. Horror themes while not a consistent through line, will occasionally be explored.
Content warnings
Safety tools used