CWM Player's Guide

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<div class='cover-header'>Colville West Marches</div>

##### <div class='cover-footer'>Player's Guide</div>

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# Colville West Marches

## Introduction
Matthew Colville recorded a video on West Marches that can be found [here](https://youtu.be/oGAC-gBoX9k). West Marches is a campaign style coined by Ben Robbins (West Marches; [Pt. 1](http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/78/grand-experiments-west-marches/), [Pt. 2](http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/79/grand-experiments-west-marches-part-2-sharing-info/), [Pt. 3](http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/80/grand-experiments-west-marches-part-3-recycling/), [Pt. 4](http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/81/grand-experiments-west-marches-part-4-death-danger/)), though its basic principles reflect how D&D was typically played. This campaign is primarily played using [Discord](https://discordapp.com) and [Roll20](https://app.roll20.net).

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## The Town of Farwater
Welcome to Farwater, a small outpost on the frontier of the newly discovered continent of Ofithar. Although not known to the inhabitants of Collabris, it cannot be said that no one has been here before. Great dangers lurk in the wilderness. Orcs, sahuagin, grung, yuan-ti and other vile things wait for the brave, curious, and greedy.

| **Introduction** || **2**
|:---|:---|:---:
| **West Marches Campaign** || **3**
| **Character Creation** || **3**
| **Questing**       || **5**
| **Submitting Ideas**       || **6**
| **How Can I Help?**       || **6**
| **Appendix**     || **7**
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## West Marches Campaign

### General Information
This section covers the basic information and general rules of the campaign. Welcome and enjoy! 
<br> <br>
Contact @Helpers in Discord if you find any typos or inaccuracies.
### General Rules
Before you start play, consider the following:
* <strong>Don’t be a wangrod!</strong>
* Use common sense! Don't be that guy!
* <strong>Timeout:</strong> if you are uncomfortable with anything that happens in the game, just say “timeout” and the DM will take a break and give everyone a chance to address the issue.
* By default, PvP is not allowed. No non-consensual PvP. If the situation requires PvP, try to make it non-lethal. This includes touching other people’s possessions.
* <strong>#character_rolls</strong> and <strong>#general_bot</strong> channels are not for chatting. <strong>#character_rolls</strong> should only be used for <strong>!newchar</strong> rolls, <strong>!hproll</strong>, and <strong>!sgold</strong>. Any other rolls belong in the game channel you are playing in or <strong>#general_bot</strong>.
* <strong>#General</strong> is for general chat only. Questions should go to <strong>#Questions</strong>. All channels have a purpose and their names are good indicators of what should go in them.
* Pinging of <strong>@everyone</strong> is reserved for <strong>@Organizers</strong> or <strong>@Helpers</strong> to ensure it is being used responsibly.

## Character Creation
The Colvillian West Marches has guidelines for character creation. These rules help to keep the game fair and balanced for everyone involved. The rules are reviewed in Helper meetings and by DM voting. Currently only Wizards of the Coast content is approved, however we may consider Homebrew or Unearthed Arcana content in the future. Feel free to submit content for consideration to <strong>@Helpers</strong>.    
<br>
Once you have created a character, you can find adventurers in either <strong>#dm-quest-posting</strong> or <strong>#player-quest-request</strong> channels. You are free to join any of these sessions (though we do try to prioritize players who haven’t played in a long time) by messaging the DM or the player posting the quest, or asking in the <strong>#request-discussions</strong> channel.
<br><br>
The adventurers begin in the town of Farwater. The town has an inn and access to most goods. The map and details of the surrounding region can be found on the <strong>[player map](https://i.ibb.co/dGpxj1c/colville.png).</strong> Players and their characters do not know the all the details of the world, and thus must learn of the land based on their adventures.

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### Character Sheet
Dungeon Masters may run games using any variety of media. This may include their own Roll20 server, or in Discord using Avrae. 
	As such, you are not required to create your character in any specific format, nor are you required to have any DM or Helper inspect your character sheet, however it must be in a format that is submittable via the link found under the PC Registration heading.

### Starting Level
All new characters start at 3rd level with 900/2700 XP. When making a new primary PC can start at level up to the lowest level of the highest tier reached by any of your past characters.

* <strong>Tier 1:</strong> 3-4
* <strong>Tier 2:</strong> 5-8
* <strong>Tier 3:</strong> 9-12
* <strong>Tier 4:</strong> 13-16
* <strong>Tier 5:</strong> 17-20

The new character can also be a lower level. <em><strong>(i.e. Peggy dies at level 11, the new character can be a maximum of level 9, but could start at any level below that)</strong></em>

### Ability Scores
Ability scores can be done in one of two ways. The first is to taking the standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) and assign them in any order you like. If this option is chosen, you must announce this in **#character_rolls** *BEFORE* you roll.

Alternatively ability scores can be rolled in the **#character_rolls** channel in the Discord. No chats are allowed in that channel and any questions should be asked in the **#questions** channel or discuss character options in the **#character_build** channel.

Use the **!newchar command**. This command will roll using the 4d6 drop the lowest method, rolling for all six ability scores. The scores are assigned to the abilities in order [Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha].

The command will roll until you have two sets of stats that have at least one ability at 15 or higher, and a second at 13 or higher.

Pick which set you like best of your options, and use the numbered emote to denote your pick. Abilities will be confirmed by a Helper.

### Hit Points
You may either roll your hit points or use the average. If you choose to roll, please do so in <strong>#character_rolls</strong> using <strong>!hproll</strong> and you must keep what you rolled. Each level you may decide which way to generate the HP for that level.

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### Character Races
**The following character races are allowed:**
* Player's Handbook (including all variants)
* Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (including all variants)
* Elemental Evil Player’s Companion
* Volo's Guide to Monsters
    * Aasimar, Firbolg, Kenku, Lizardfolk, Triton, Tabaxi
* The Tortle Package
* Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (including all variants)
* Eberron: Rising From The Last War
    * Changeling, Kalaashtar, Shifter, Warforged
* Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount
    * Dragonborn (Draconblood & Ravenite), Halfling (Lotusden)
* Mythic Odysseys of Theros
    * Leonin, Triton
* Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
* All races with permanent, natural flight such as Aarakocra and Winged Tiefling <strong>only</strong> gain the ability to fly at 5th Level

**Not Allowed:**
* Dungeon Master's Guide
* Monstrous races from any book
    * (Bugbear, Goblin, Hobgoblin, Kobold, Orc, Yuan-ti)
* Unearthed Arcana
* Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica 
* Eberron: Rising From The Last War
    * Marked Race Options
* Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount
    * Elf (Pallid)
* Mythic Odysseys of Theros
    * Satyr

### Character Classes
**The following character classes are allowed:**
* Player's Handbook
* Dungeon Master's Guide
* Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide  
    *Bladesinger's Errata is not in use, we instead use the pre-errata bladesinger. The details of it can be found [Here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uO10_-jtUMCzYq9ZPcloIZNazr-CynwQmiSZSDZOamY/edit?usp=sharing)
* Xanathar's Guide to Everything
* Revised Ranger (UA 2016)
* Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica
* Eberron: Rising From The Last War
* Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount
* Mythic Odysseys of Theros
 
### Character Backgrounds
**The following source books are available for character backgrounds:**
* Player's Handbook
* Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
* Curse of Strahd
* Tomb of Annihilation
* Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount
* Mythic Odysseys of Theros
* <strong>Alternatively, you may follow the rules on page 125 of the PHB on customizing your own background</strong>

<br>

### Feats
**The following are the feats that are allowed:**
* Player's Handbook
* Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
* Xanathar's Guide to Everything
* [Skill Feats (Unearthed Arcana)](https://media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/UA-SkillFeats.pdf)
* Eberron: Rising From The Last War
<br>

**Not Allowed:**
*  Lucky

### Spells
**The following spells are allowed:**
* Player's Handbook
* Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
* Xanathar's Guide to Everything
* Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount
    * These spells are only available to Dunamancers
* Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica
* Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
* Lost Laboratory of Kwalish
    * Only Flock of Familiars & Galder's Speedy Courier

### Homebrew Rules
**The following Homebrew rules are used on the server:**
* You can use <strong>Dexterity or Intelligence</strong> as your initiative modifier;
* You can drink a potion as a <strong>bonus action</strong> (administering a potion is still an <strong>action</strong>.);
* If any ability states that "Your group can't become lost except by magical means.", instead it will read "You gain advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to not become lost."

The following spells have modified effect durations that fit the West Marches game better:
* <strong>Ceremony</strong>
    * Time of the wedding effect from 7 days to the next 2 quests they share. 
* <strong>Raise Dead & Resurrection</strong>
    * <strong>Change:</strong>  Every time the target finishes a long rest, the penalty is reduced by 1 until it disappears.
    * <strong>To:</strong> and its save DC for all spells and class features. Every time the target starts a quest, the penalty is reduced by 1 until it disappears.
* <strong>Clone</strong>
    * Time for clone to maturity reduced from 120 days to 30 IRL days
* <strong>Hallow</strong>
    * Casting Time change from 24 hours to 1 Downtime while not in a quest

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* <strong>Spells for Buildings</strong>
    * A spell that must be cast every day for a year to take permanent effect only needs to be cast every day for 30 days within an area that you have ownership or have permission to.
    * A spell that must be cast every day for 30 days to take permanent effect only needs to be cast every day for 7 days within an area that you have ownership or have permission to.
* <strong>Simulacrum</strong>
    * A simulacrum counts as being the caster for the purposes of spells such as Wish or Simulacrum, a character may only ever have one simulacrum at a time, this includes simulacrums who have been permanently changed into another creature by spells such as true polymorph

### Epic Level Play

After obtaining a 20th-level character, you can choose these two options after every 50,000 XP you earn after 355,000 XP. You may only do this up to Epic Level 5.

* <strong>Ability Score Improvement.</strong> The character can increase one ability score by 2 or increase two ability scores by 1 each. The ability score can now be increased above 20, up to a maximum of 26. If you have the Primal Champion Barbarian class feature, you can increase your Strength and Constitution scores to a maximum of 30. No Attribute Score can be increased past 30 through any means.
* <strong>Epic Feat.</strong> You can select a new feat; however, your total number of feats earned this way cannot exceed 5.

### Starting Equipment
Players may choose to use the starting equipment given by their characters class and background or they can roll the starting wealth. Either way, they also start with an additional 50gp + 1d4x10 gp. To make this process easier, we have developed an Avrae command (<strong>!sgold</strong>) to handle the messy bits of starting gold at all levels.

For characters starting at higher levels, refer to the following table which <strong>!sgold</strong> uses:

| Level/Tier  | Starting Gold |
|:---:|:-----------:|
|  3  | 50gp + 1d4 x 10gp, <br>normal starting equipment |
|  5  | 100gp + 1d4 x 10gp, <br>normal starting equipment |
|  8  | 1000gp + 1d10 x 100gp, <br>normal starting equipment |
|  12  | 5000gp + 1d10 x 250gp, <br>normal starting equipment |
|  16  | 10000gp + 1d10 x 500gp, <br>normal starting equipment |

### Pantheon
The pantheon used in Farwater, and the continent of Ofithar is [the pantheon of the Forgotten Realms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Forgotten_Realms_deities#Circle_of_Greater_Powers).

### Character Development
Character development relies heavily on the player. Please be sure your character has a reason for having come to Farwater. From there you can develop your character in the roleplay channels. You may also request quests that help to progress your characters story or goals.
<br><br>
Individual DMs are not likely to know the narrative of your character. You will need to share that with them if you expect it to be written into a quest.

##### Character Backstory
New characters must have a dissimilar persona and name from your previous 3 characters, at the discretion of the Organizers and Helpers.

### Secondary Characters
This character is an alternative character that a player can use in place of their primary character. There are certain restrictions placed on secondary characters, as stated below.

* Secondary Characters do not collect downtime.
* Characters cannot trade with other characters controlled by the same player
* Note: Trading to a third party to work around this is also not allowed.
* Secondary Characters are considered lowest priority when joining games. (DMs, please ask for last time played.)
* Secondary Characters can only begin at 3rd level upon death or retirement. If they were of 5th level or higher, they can start at 3rd or 5th level instead.
* Secondary Characters cannot receive DM EXP or DM gold.

### PC Registration
If you have not yet filled out the PC registration, please register your characters [here](https://goo.gl/forms/6IjsfMIF9wEcBpTo1).

### PC Mutability
Until two games have been completed, all characters (primary or secondary) can change any aspect save for their statistics (class, race, features, etc.). After the second game they've been played in, those decisions are locked-in.

### PC Retirement
Upon the completion of any character's second game they are eligible to be retired. Once a character's journey has run its course, make a post in the #the-sunset announcing the end of their adventures.

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## Questing
Questing is the primary source of experience and gold in the campaign. You may join a quest posted by DMs, but the spirit of a West Marches game is that the players decide what quests they wish to endeavor on.
> ##### Quest Format
><br>Name: "Quest Name" <br>
>Time and Date: "Time Zone / Time"<br>
>Run time estimation: 100 hours<br>
>Type: "Exploration/RP/Town/Raid"<br>
>Recommended Level: "Level Range: i.e: lvl 13-24"<br>
>Slot: "Insert Number"<br>
>Signup Deadline: "date" <br>
>Signup: Open/Closed <br>(DMs List the PCs once the application is closed)<br>
>Roll20 Game link if played on R20: "link"<br><br>
>* include ``` in the beginning and end to create a code block in Discord.

DMs are asked to prioritize players that have played less frequently. They should also not list players that have signed up until the close date for signups, so that players are not discouraged from signing up.<br><br>
When you message a DM to request joining their Quest, if you can, include the date of the last game you played.

### Requesting a Quest
Post your request in the <strong>#player-quest-posting</strong> channel. You may utilize the level tier roles (<em>e.g. @Lvl 3-4</em>) for pick–up games in the <strong>#request-discussions</strong> channel to find players to join your quest and <strong>@DM</strong> or <strong>@TrialDM</strong> to locate a DM to run the quest.<br><br>
For Player Quests, you may collect the other players you would like to join in your quest or take people who request to join. Player Quests do not require prioritizing people who have played less frequently.

### Quest Summary
Every player that posts a quest summary receives a
DM Inspiration point that can be used in their next quest to reroll any Saving throw, Ability Check, Attack roll or Skill check. Session summaries are posted in the <strong>#session-summaries</strong> channel.

### Paid Tools and CWM
Our West Marches game is open to all. While you are free to use a tool such as <strong>Fantasy Grounds</strong> to run your games, you must be able to offer that option free to players. This typically means having the Ultimate version in the case of Fantasy Grounds.

You can always run your games on Discord using Avrae or over on Roll20. Other options may be possible and offered, so long as they cost the players no money.

## Submitting Ideas
If you have an idea that you believe would make our West Marches game better, please send it to one of the organizers. Your ideas are important to the improvements of the game we are building together.<br><br>

When submitting a suggestion, please consider the following.<br>
* How does the idea improve our game?
* What are the role-playing implications of the idea?
* How does the idea mechanically operate?
* Have you discussed the idea with fellow players and DMs?
* Are others interested in the idea, or only a couple?
* Does the idea affect the entire campaign or just a session or two?
    * If it only affects a few games, take the idea to your DM

Remember when submitting an idea, that the more details you provide the more likely for the idea to be accepted.

### Example 1: <br>Player Controlled Farms
<em>"I think that players should be able to buy and maintain farms. That way the town can be fed."</em><br>
	This is a weak suggestion, because it does not include very much information and has no mechanical effect on the campaign. You could easily say your character operates a farm for mechanical purposes. Operating the farm would make them enough money to survive, just as any other trade.

### Example 2:<br> Monster Training
<em>"Having a trained monster could be a fun and exciting option for players. Characters would be able to take trained monsters on adventures with them or leave them at home. Training the monster would require a series of Animal Handling checks equal to the monsters challenge rating multiplied by 3. The DM of the session may increase or decrease the base DC of 15 based on the monsters nature and current disposition to the trainer."</em><br>
	Though this example could use additional details and playtesting, it has enough details for the Organizers to work with when discussing the suggestion.

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## How Can I Help?
There are many ways you can help make the campaign fun and successful. Engaging with your fellow players is a fantastic way to start. Make everyone feel welcome! For all of the below, simply PM a Helper or Organizer your application, and it will be reviewed by the Helper team.

<br>

****DM Application****

The life blood of this server is held together by our wonderful DM's and we are always looking for more!

* What is your experience with GMing?
* What is your experience with D&D 5e?
* What makes a great DM, how do you know you have done a good job?
* Trivia Question: What happens to a devil's body when killed on the material plane?

<br>

****Helper Application****

We are looking for friendly, active & interactive people to assist in the welcoming of new people to the server and front of house responsibilities!

* What is your experience with being a mod or admin?
* How have you been helpful in CWM and other communities?
* Why do you want to be a helper?

<br>

****Organizer Application****

* What is your experience with being a mod or admin?
* What is your experience with game design?
* What is your experience with 5e Homebrewing?
* What would you like to change about CWM?

If you have ANY ideas, make a detailed suggestion (including exact rules of how it would work) to organizers and they will discuss it. If you feel the game is missing crafting rules or you want to establish a faction, don’t expect anyone else to do the work for you - just write up rules for it and bring it to the organizers for review.

<br>

<strong>If you promise to do something and if you for any reason don’t want to do it anymore, PLEASE tell someone!</strong>

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## Appendix
* [Avrae Commands](https://avrae.io/commands/)
* <strong>Avrae Tutorial</strong> - run <strong>!intro</strong> in the <strong>#general_bot</strong> 
* [Google Sheets Character Sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mkmEwqJw7YpCePvA9FhgDJtgcqmO5FbARIV0F6dHZ0o/) - make a copy of this in your own Google Drive folder and refer to the "Help" tab to answer most questions. Otherwise, ping a <strong>@Helper</strong> in the <strong>#questions</strong> channel for help.
* [Activating the "Additional" Sheet](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hyvvbF9yQRK16x8IGvH0RVfJHTuIvM3CMLbAAnK_KFk/)
* [Downtime Rules](https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/S1zNPT4n7)
* [Advanced Dicecloud Character Creation](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m0iAHPJKPZo0Ugim_c2iqznL8s7vwAX_/view?usp=sharing)
* [Player Registration](https://goo.gl/forms/6IjsfMIF9wEcBpTo1)
* [Farwater Shops](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQsjguhyDZGbRUaCplfQ8fjDPjHda0F9L9vJWZGGrkBW4lNQN7IZbBv_XCzMQ-hboAy_nX42EP58pLx/pubhtml#)
* [Avrae Development Alias List](https://github.com/avrae/avrae-docs)
* [Dicecloud Helper](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UfZ9e9Z9XFiZ7uapyDxrh9UskZSmPGa-nWr7mCqzevw/edit)

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April 22, 2019

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 [WWW.GMBINDER.COM](https://www.gmbinder.com)

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 ##### Leather Texture
Texture Palace - [Link]( https://www.texturepalace.com/five-hq-vintage-book-paper-and-leather-cover-texture/)
 
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