Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 tomservo999 Dec 11, 2014 23:07:43	After reading through the Neverwinter Campaign setting I have decided to run my 5e game here. Before I get started I would really like to convert the character themes in Chapter 2 to 5E Backgrounds. I definitely don't want them to be as uber powerful as they seem in the Neverwinter book, just on par with the other backgrounds in Chapter 4 of the PHB. Any help would be appreciated.
#2 Emanuele_Galletto Dec 12, 2014 7:50:41	I guess it boils down to how mechanical you want the benefits of the backgrounds to be. I mean, if they're just flavor, you don't need a conversion: simply pick a couple of skill proficiencies that work with the intended background. Let's take the Bregan d'Aerthe spy, for example: if you don't care about the Levitation theme power, simply use the spy background from the PHB. Dead Rat deserter is criminal or urchin; and so on.   However, you might want to give each background a once-per-short rest feature, and that's where you've got to work a bit. But in that case, they are far more powerful than a traditional background.
#3 tomservo999 Dec 12, 2014 8:11:13	Emanuele_Galletto wrote:
#4 Emanuele_Galletto Dec 12, 2014 8:40:50	Well, you could reskin it as a free reroll once per short rest. And you keep the second result even if worse.   Another option: if you allow feats in your game, have each character get a free one tied with the background (i.e. Inspiring Leader for the noble). In this case, ban the variant human (for obvious reasons).
#5 tomservo999 Dec 12, 2014 22:17:27	Emanuele_Galletto wrote:
#6 Emanuele_Galletto Dec 13, 2014 2:50:28	I'd say give them feats at 1st level. It's not like it's gonna destroy the game, I think. Plus, you're not giving away the most uber feats (like the combat ones); I'd suggest using the most flavorfu options rather than the most "mechanically useful". Like, keen mind or observant for the Student of Oghma.   However, I'd keep the shapechange for the Dead Rat Deserter. It's just so iconic.
#7 tomservo999 Dec 13, 2014 8:17:02	Emanuele_Galletto wrote:
#8 tomservo999 Dec 13, 2014 12:19:30	Here's what I have done. For each background I have converted one of the utility powers to 5e, so they come in a little better than a background feature and a little less powerful than a feat. I think they will work pretty good. I am stuck however, on the Renegade Red Wizard...none of his utility powers seem to translate well.
#9 THEMNGMNT Dec 13, 2014 12:46:31	4E's background themes and paragon paths seem to be mechanically split in 5E between backgrounds, subclasses, and factions. Taking the Dead Rat Deserter, for example, that would likely simply be a criminal background. If the player wanted to be a wererat, that would be a change in race, not background or class. And if the player wanted to rejoin the Dead Rats, that would be treated as a faction. I know it's not as clean as how 4E handled the situation, but it makes a certain kind of sense. Alternately, some of these things could be captured in Flaws, Traits, Bonds, and Ideals. I think what 5E is trying to do is replace mechanical benefits with hooks that encourage roleplaying and generate adventure.
#10 tomservo999 Dec 13, 2014 21:52:32	I have all of them done. The only thing that remains is to assign personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws. The Dead Rat deserter uses the Criminal's verbatim...the Neverwinter noble will probably use the Noble's (with some changes), and Oghma's Faithful the Acolyte's (aslo with some edits). Kind of stuck on all the others. Ideas?
#11 Emanuele_Galletto Dec 14, 2014 3:42:47	I think the Heir of Delzoun should probably use the Noble as a basis too. The Pack Outcast works as a Outlander, I guess.
(Reply to #11) tomservo999	Emanuele_Galletto wrote:
#13 BRJN Dec 22, 2014 10:33:28	OP: Lost Mines of Phandalin (the adventure in 5e Starter Set) is not far on the map from Neverwinter.  Perhaps you could start with LMoP, then move the adventure into town and have a World-Building Session with the other players - to maybe include creating new characters - and discuss what you all enjoyed from the Mines and what you did not.  This can guide you going forward.   P.S. My 4e Warlock is also a businessman (I have a LFR Story Award that says so) who operates his 'company's branch office' in Neverwinter.  I want to get a copy of LMoP so I can see what lucrative side ventures might become possible.  Surely the process can work the other direction too.
#14 ScottMcFarland Dec 24, 2014 4:55:31	My players have decided to travel from Phandalin to do some shopping in Neverwinter, prompting 2 questions:   1. What does Neverwinter look like now (my knowledge of the city is based on playing Neverwinter Nights 2)?   2. Has anyone created a Magic Items Shoppe I could drop into the city? I know Sand used to run a decent store in the Docks District but I'm guessing that's old news now.   Any help gratefully received!
#15 BRJN Dec 24, 2014 11:40:15	ScottMcFarland wrote:
#16 sleypy Dec 24, 2014 11:44:36	The FR novels I have read seem to rattle off taverns like crazy, but seem fairly sparse on magic/antiquities shops in neverwinter.   1. Claven's General Supplies and Armory and The House of knowledge. Possibly Tarmalune Trade House. The House of Knowledge is a oghma temple so potions mostly. Claven might be the only real place to purchase magic, but there was a bazaar at one point during the encounter seasons. I have no idea about Tarmalune as I have only seen it on a map.   Thats based on 1478 DR, but I have only seen passing reference to the area since Erin M Evans second D&D novel.