In an uneventful corner of the Tenebrian Empire’s holdings on the inconsequential continent of Veltria, there rests a small city on the edge of a glassy harbor. The port-city of Tideswallow is a place of upheaval and change. Once little more than a quiet fishing village of isolation-focused sailors, it was hardly the sort of area that would attract attention. Its harbor, protected from the rougher waters of the sea by the ruinous spires of the Fiendfall Reef less than a mile off its shoreline, brought in just enough of the ocean’s bounty to keep the town alive. But never enough for it to thrive. It was only with the news of the New World, a mysterious continent that seemed to appear entirely out of nowhere, that eyes began to fall upon the sleepy little fishing commune. Ships and passage to the strange new land were needed, and there were few spots better suited to the task of staging them than Tideswallow. Almost overnight the town became a central point of travel. Then a center of trade as treasures and stories began to return from the lands beyond the sea. The town soon became a city, and the streets were suddenly filled with people from every corner of the Empire and beyond. People of every walk of life. All while the original citizens sat back and simply watched; some growing filthy rich off the new commerce. Others simply growing filthy as they were left in the dust by their town’s sudden advancement into a new age. But it was an age short lived. For now, only two years later, the town has been all but forgotten by the winds of fortune. The New World quickly became a less-than-desirable goal for explorers and settlers. Quicker, safer, and cheaper paths across the sea were discovered far from Tideswallow. The freshly-constructed walls, towers, and docks soon fell into disrepair as coin meant to be dedicated to maintenance dried up. Now only the most desperate or foolish come to the city seeking passage to the New World...

You have come here for reasons that are your own. Perhaps you seek passage across the seas, hoping to start anew in the untarnished lands of the New World. Perhaps you are a trader, looking to make your fortune at Tideswallow’s famed Harvest Festival Market, set to be held only two weeks from now. Maybe adventure is what you seek, and you have set your eyes on membership in Lord Vernum Cartwright’s grand Adventurer’s Guild. Perhaps your aims are of a more grey morality, and you hope to gain entrance to the Sunless; the thieve’s guild which happens to be one of the town’s worst kept secrets. If it is knowledge you seek, perhaps you hunt after the strange, eldritch secrets the town’s oldest districts are rumored to hide? Maybe it is the chance at a political career which calls to you, and you journey here with hopes of claiming the recently vacated seat on the City Council... Or perhaps you come for some reason known only to you.
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Shades of Tideswallow is meant to play as an isolated setting sandbox adventure. As newcomers to the city, the town is yours to explore at your own pace as you see fit. Venture throughout the city alone, meet up with companions naturally throughout the course of the journey, unveil secrets, plots, and various story-beats that may alter the city in meaningful ways, and combine your strength with your allies in order to tackle the bigger challenges Tideswallow has to offer.

You can begin as any official 5e races and any class from the 5e Player’s Hand Book, or other official 5e supplemental materials. You begin at Level 3 and may start as either a single class or multiclass right off the bat. No Unearthed Arcana without discussing it with the DM first. You can use either Point Buy or Standard Array for your ability scores. Your character begins with your choice of two common magic items and one uncommon magic item.

The setting functions as a normal 5e setting, staying true to the essentials of the a normal 5th edition game. We will be using typical 5e classes, spell lists, feats, etc. However, I have homebrewed numerous  items, monsters, and other... surprises you may come across throughout. Exploration and experimentation are highly encouraged throughout the course of this adventure.

Tideswallow is an old town that has been rebuilt and added onto over the course of numerous generations. As such, the culture, architecture, and overall aesthetic of the city is a patchwork of the numerous civilizations that have influenced it. Just about anyone could find a home for themselves here, if they are willing to put in the effort.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:08, Wed 09 Sept 2020.