The Border Guards - a D&D 5e adventure!

About the adventure

Nordmark is many things: a land of great and rugged beauty, a birthplace of many renowned heroes, a place of legend and opportunity. Above all else, though, it is generally known as a bitter-cold arse-end of the world. Ancient ruins dot the landscape, sinister wolves and goblins - and worse! - lurk in the woods and amidst towering crags of the Serpent Mountains. Hamlets are few and far between, and so are the people inhabiting this inhospitable place. Graykeep, the mighty holdfast of the Margrave, stands half-abandoned, with the few last remnants of the Gray line huddled in the old, crumbling, and droughty halls. Yet Nordmark is important for the rest of the kingdom, for it has ever held the Howling Pass - the only practicable passage in the mountains, and the place of many great battles against the encroaching northern hordes streaming out of the wintry deserts of the World’s Edge. It has been two decades since the defeat of the mighty Nordik chieftain, Rangul Bear-kin - and the war drums sound again beyond the pass. A new generation grew up in the wastes, hungry for plunder, glory, and revenge for their forefathers. But this time Nordmark is not ready. The Margrave is old and ill. The mark is run by a council of nobles more interested in jockeying for power than the protection of the realm. Young son of the Margrave is inept and spoiled. The only thing still standing between Nordmark and the ravaging hordes is a small contingent of the Border Guard - a ragtag collection of mercenaries, convicts and never-do-wells garrisoning the Lone Tower, the northernmost outpost of the realm. That’s you, by the way. You are the most unlikely heroes this realm has ever had. They convicted you. They sent you off to die in the frozen pass. Now you’re their only hope. The Border Guard is a daring adventure of swords and sorcery, set against a dramatic backdrop of war, intrigue, and upheaval. Players will take on the role of the titular Border Guards - a loose coalition of mercenaries, hired blades, adventurers, and miscreants (with an occasional paladin thrown in) full of burning passions for treasure, fame, and glory. It will fall upon your shoulders to protect the rugged, untamed, and beautiful lands of the Range from a terrible barbarian invasion while dealing with evil sorcerers, dark cults, desperate outlaws, and corrupt nobility. Will you prevail and emerge rich and famous - or will death claim you, and your bones be buried amidst the burned cities and ruined lands?

Additional Details

How to prepare

A microphone is a must, a webcam is optional. Roll20 and Discord accounts set up and ready to use are required. A character made on Roll20 and/or D&D Beyond will be needed as well before time.

What I provide

I'll bring a well-designed Roll20 maps, tokens, and music to set the mood, as well as a D&D Beyond campaign with relevant sourcebooks unlocked and shared.

Gameplay details

This campaign deals with a lot of topics, chief of which is war and its' effect on people. With what's going on in the world nowadays, some people might be more sensitive to it than others. The violence is not overly graphic, and there are no X-rated themes in the game.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Breaks
Lines and Veils
Open Door

How will character creation work

You will be required to create a level 6 character using any official content, excluding Ravnica and Eberron material. You start with your starting equipment as per Players Handbook and extra gold.

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.