The V.A.L.U.E. of Skullport

[Darthbinks]

Skullport

Skullport , also known as the Port of Shadows , was a subterranean city located far below the metropolis of Waterdeep, within the 3rd level of Undermountain, an Underdark-megadungeon.

While rumors of this subterranean domain of villainy persisted throughout the surface world, few of its inhabitants had any knowledge of any points of entry.

Built within an immense subterranean cavern, the shadowy port was a dark reflection of Waterdeep above. Its structure was built in three tiers, interconnected by narrow catwalks and rickety scaffolding. Creaking houses built on stilts were haphazardly built in a dense network that formed a near shantytown.

On the cavewalls grows a local mushroom, called gloom, who puts the area in an eerie dim light.

• Important Languages includes: Undercommon
• Common Terrain includes: coast, Underdark
• Magic: teleportation spells are inhibited

[Darthbinks]

Inhabitants

Skullport’s population of roughly 4000 souls is pretty mixed:

30% humans, 15% half-orcs/orcs, 12% goblinoids, 10% drow, 7% kobolds, 6% duergar, 20% others

Skulkers

Skulker are how the inhabitants, who grew up in Skullport call themselves.
In some cases, esp. with long lived races, other inhabitants who live here long enough to also fall under this term. Skulkers are known to stick together and rumors within the community travel faster than a teleport.

Skulldiggers

Skulldigger is the nickname for inhabitants, who came from the surface (likely from the metropolis of Waterdeep) to search for fame and fortune.

Some Skulkers percieve Skulldiggers as naive, reckless, and egoistical.
As some Skulldiggers percieve Skulkers as apathic, lazy, and secretive.

Underdark Refugees

Recently there had been an influx of refugees from the Underdark, telling nightmarish stories about raging demons in the depths below…
Many of the Underdark refugees worship the goddess Eilistraee

Flameskulls

Its most notorious inhabitants however where were a collection of 13 powerful flameskulls, who dominated the city of Skullport, which was named for them. In the chaotic underground of Skullport, a city of thieves, murderers and slave-traders, the Skulls imposed some semblance of order when things got out of hand, typically by fireballing all percieved agressors.
Those flameskulls have been behaving increasingly erratic lately, even for their standards …

[Darthbinks]

Character Options:

Custom Background: Skulker

You’ve lived in Skullport for years now — maybe you were born here, maybe you came here willingly, or
maybe you’re an escaped slave trying to eke out a life of your own under cover of darkness.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Stealth
Tool Proficiencies: One of the following: Thieves’ Tools, Vehicle [water], or one type of gaming set.
Languages: Undercommon
Equipment: A club, silk rope (50 feet), a trinket (choose one from the Trinkets table in the PHB p160f), a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

Feature: Haven in Dangerous Straits

If you can make it in Skullport, you can make it anywhere.
You are intimately familiar with areas of cities that most people shun: ruined neighborhoods where monsters rampaged, overgrown areas that no hand has tended in decades, and the vast, sprawling rubblebelts of broken terrain that civilized folk have long abandoned.
You can find a suitable place for you and your allies to hide or rest in these areas. In addition, you can find food and fresh water in these areas, usually scavenged from the trash, for yourself and up to five other people each day.

Suggested Characteristics

Skulkers are defined by their sense of self-preservation, a necessary trait which naturally leads to quirks and tics that can give an idea of the kind of person a skulker might be.

Personality Trait (d8)

1. Get it done quiet, don’t make a show of yourself, and don’t rock the boat — that’s the Skulker way.
2. I’m always counting entrances and exits when I come into a building.
3. I’m constantly expecting the Flameskulls to show up at any moment, even if I’m nowhere near Skullport.
4. My sense of humour makes civilized types uncomfortable. Just the way I like it.
5. I never keep my things in one organized location.
6. I always keep my effects prepared for travel. Never know when you’ll need to quickly move out.
7. I get twitchy when people outwardly talk about religion.
8. I maintain an appearance that helped me blend in back home. On the surface though, it just makes me look sketchy.

Ideal (d6)

1. Freedom. I’ve seen the worst of what can happen when people’s freedoms are restricted, and I won’t let it happen elsewhere. (Chaotic)
2. Honour. There are horrible people in the world, and those who lack a code are doomed to become one of them. (Lawful)
3. Belonging. My homeland does not suit me, nor does it define me. But I know I will find somewhere that does. (Neutral)
4. Selfishness. You take care of yours, I take care of mine. Don’t expect sympathy from me for your woes. (Evil)
5. Community. When the world is against you, what do you have but the kindness of friends and strangers? (Good)
6. Caution. First and foremost, I am driven by a simple principle: don’t die. (Any)

Bond (d6)

1. A good friend of mine was taken by slavers, and I haven’t seen them since.
2. Skullport may be one big refuse heap, but it’s my home and I’ll defend it to the death.
3. I was once a slave, and still bear a mark put on me by my old owner.
4. Someone close to me is trying desperately to get enough money to leave Skullport and find a better life. I hope to help them.
5. I disappeared without a trace one night and woke up in chains. But surely, someone will come looking for me some day, right?
6. A kind soul put their life on the line for me and asked nothing in return. In a place of such darkness, their light inspires me.

Flaw (d6)

1. I always look shabby, poor, and down-on-my- luck, no matter how much money I have.
2. I’m always expecting situations to suddenly escalate into violence, so much so that I will sometimes do it myself.
3. I expect everyone to take advantage of any kindness I offer.
4. I never stick to a plan.
5. Whenever someone asks me my name, I impulsively lie.
6. If someone’s being nice to me, it’s because they want something from me.

---

note: this is the feature of the Gruul Anarch background with the equipment of the Sailor.

[Darthbinks]

Factions in Skullport:

The Rag Mage

Recently awoken, the boogieman is real. Is it the legendary 14th skull?
It has plans and it seems there is a lot to do to save Skullport (quote).

known Subgroups: The Fray (warlocks of the Rag Mage), Dr. Cassee Dannell (human antropologist), Captain Brisby (undead sailor), Varrin Darkstone (duergar noble cleric of Abbathor)

PCs: Arduria (@Arthilas) [reputation: 1], Bok (@DutchyGio) [reputation: 9], Darius [reputation: 1], Dr. Goosejet (@PatrickD) [reputation: 8], Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli) [reputation: 8], Ildun (@Atoh-nym) [reputation: 3], Liandrin (@Stracci) [reputation: 7], Richard (@ThatGuyTed) [reputation: 2], Sirius (@BufoBufo) [reputation: became a ]

[Reputation 3+] less likely to be harassed by “flameskulls”; wizard spells: Heist Magic
[Reputation 5+] magic item: Heward’s handy haversack
[Reputation 10+] magic items: duplicitous manuscript, lyre of building, nature’s mantle, shadowfell shard

---

\

The Xanathar Guild

Anyone can join the Xanathar Guild, which dominates Skullport since almost two decades.
Before membership is granted, however, an applicant must pass a test that always involves the perpetration of a serious crime. Possibilities include murdering a guild member who has failed Xanathar in some fashion, kidnapping a citizen, collecting a ransom, robbing a hire-coach, or looting a warehouse.
Given that the faction is fundamentally evil, advancement is based on one’s wiles or one’s ability to dispose of rivals. Competition within the organization is fierce and often deadly. Evil characters can thrive in this environment, but the risks are seldom worth the reward.

known Subgroups: Legion of Azrok (hobgoblin mercenaries), Nihiloor (mindflayer artificer; actually working for the Kraken Society), Noska Ur’Gray (duergar psychic warrior brute), The Afterlife Casino (Mammon archdevil gambling cult), The Muses of Misery (Loviatar prison/temple), Nar’l Xibrindas (drow conjurer)

PCs: Bok (@DutchyGio) [reputation: 1], Darius [reputation: 1], Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli) [reputation: 1], Sirius (@BufoBufo) [reputation: 1]

[Reputation 3+] Tools: disguise kit, forgery kit, poisoner’s kit, thieves’ tools
[Reputation 5+] magic items: eyes of minute seeing, gloves of thievery
[Reputation 10+] magic item: robe of eyes

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The Kraken Society

The Kraken Society is a secret society of thieves, assassins, pirates, smugglers and mages in northwestern Faerûn. The Kraken Society has secret followers in many cities along the Sword Coast, including Neverwinter, Waterdeep, and of course Skullport. Its agents walk all manner of dark paths from cultists, to assassins, to thieves.

known Subgroups: Lucian (Ex-@Alaadu), The Riverborn (Skullport fishers), Nihiloor (mindflayer artificer; doubleagent), Deep Scion warlocks, Kuatoa Umberlee cultists

PCs: Bok (@DutchyGio) [reputation: 1], Dr. Goosejet (@PatrickD) [reputation: 1], Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli) [reputation: 1], Ildun (@Atoh-nym) [reputation: 1], Liandrin (@Stracci) [reputation: 1]

[Reputation 3+] Tools: herbalism kit, navigator’s tools, vehicles [water], thieves’ tools
[Reputation 5+] magic items: cloak of the manta ray, gloves of thievery
[Reputation 10+] magic item: dagger of blindsight

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The Harpers

The Harpers are a semi-secret organization dedicated to preserving historical lore, maintaining the balance between nature and civilization, and defending the innocent from the forces of Evil across the Realms. Their reputation amongst the people of the Forgotten Realms varied just as wildly. They were often seen as wild-eyed idealists, but also just as often seen as insufferable meddlers who could not keep their business to themselves.
In Skullport they are active in helping the Underdark refugees.

known Subgroups: Protectors of the Song (Elistraee acolytes), The Patches (Skullport medic guild)

PCs: Bok (@DutchyGio) [reputation: 2], Darius [reputation: 2], Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli) [reputation: 1], Dr. Goosejet (@PatrickD) [reputation: 1], Sirius (@BufoBufo) [reputation: 1]

[Reputation 3+] Tools: forgery kit, musical instrument (any), thieves’ tools
[Reputation 5+] magic items: hat of disguise, gloves of thievery
[Reputation 10+] magic item: sun blade

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\

Bregan D’aerthe

Bregan D’aerthe is a company of mercenaries originally made up of the much-derided and dishonorable castaways of destroyed drow houses. The group’s mysterious leader is always looking for new members to fill the ranks, and loyalty is what matters to him most.

known Subgroups: Jaezred Chaulssin (half-dragon drow assassins), Gnome tinkers on a Lantan submarine

PCs: Bok (@DutchyGio) [reputation: 2], Walter (@jboimler) [reputation: 2]

[Reputation 3+] Tools: disguise kit, gaming set (any), thieves’ tools
[Reputation 5+] magic items: boots of elvenkind, gloves of thievery
[Reputation 10+] magic item: bracer of flying daggers

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The Reforged Ring

This criminal group partakes in the foulest trade in the entire city of Skullport. A group known as the Iron Ring was once the most powerful faction in Skullport. Led by a magically disguised yuan-ti abomination, the Iron Ring fell from power decades ago.
Members of the Reforged Ring seek to invoke the old organization’s name, even in the face of some criminal elements in the city who oppose their foul plans.

known Subgroups: Bat’s Roost (fighting pit), House Auvryndar (foreign drow nobles), Yuan-ti fleshcrafters, Troglodyte tribes

PCs: Bok (@DutchyGio) [reputation: 7], Ildun (@Atoh-nym) [reputation: 1], Liandrin (@Stracci) [reputation: 7], Sirius (@BufoBufo) [reputation: 1]

[Reputation 3+] Language: any; Tools: poisoner’s kit, thieves’ tools
[Reputation 5+] magic items: slippers of spider climbing, gloves of thievery
[Reputation 10+] magic item: spider staff

[Darthbinks]

Faiths in Skullport:

Eilistraee (she/her)

Goddess of: beauty, dance, freedom, redemption, swordplay
note: she is the most popular deity in Skullport and is especially worshipped by Underdark refugees

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Abbathor (he/him)

God of: avarice, burglars, greed, thieves, wealth

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Beshaba (she/her)

Goddess of: accidents, bad luck, curses, mischief, misfortune

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Cyric (he/him)

God of: illusion, intrigue, lies, madness, megalomania

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Ghaunadaur (it/its)

God of: abominations, caverns, oozes, rebels, outcasts

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Lolth (she/her)

Goddess of: deceit, poisons, stealth, spiders, webs

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Loviatar (she/her)

Goddess of: agony, hurt, suffering, torment, torture

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Malar (he/him)

God of: bloodlust, hunt, marauding, lycanthropes, stalking

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Shar (she/her)

Goddess of: darkness, forgetfulness, loss, night, secrets

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Umberlee (she/her)

Goddess of: currents, drowning, oceans, winds, waves

[Darthbinks]

Homebrew Story Awards for Downtime Days:

“Ear to the Ground”

spend this Award to learn 3 rumours about topics important in the upcoming game session
1 will be true, 1 will be mostly true, 1 will be partly true
doing this multiple times before the same game session will reveal the same three rumours
cost: 2 Downtime Days and 50gp

“Forbidden Knowledge”

learn a dangerous secret about something in the setting (but not nec. about the next plot)
cost: 10 Downtime Days and 250gp

“Good Thing I Brought This Along Just in Case”

spend this Award to get any one item from the Adventuring Gear list in the PHB (p150) till the end of the game session
cost: 1 Downtime Day and 100gp

“I Have Trained for Exactly This”

you can spend this Award at anytime in this campaign to get a “20” on a d20 on an ability check you would have rolled with proficiency
you must spend this Award before rolling - you cannot use it for a check after rolling
cost: 10 Downtime Days

“It Was a Fake the Whole Time”

spend this Award to have a duplicate of any magical or nonmagical item featured in the adventure, including any necessary casting of Nystul’s magic aura to sell the ruse. Duplicates of magic items have no real magical power. You decide who currently has the fake, even if it doesn’t logically make sense.
note: should the task of an adventure be to aquire a specific item, you cannot use this Award for that specific item (but for any other item in that adventure)
cost: 10 Downtime Days and 500gp

“Wait! I Have Talked to This Guard Before”

spend this Award to start a backflash scene how you met and interacted with a guard 10 days earlier
all ability checks in the backflash scene will have advantage
note: only works on living guards (so neither contructs nor undead)
cost: 10 Downtime Days (plus maybe gold if you spend it during the “flash-back scene”)

“You Really Had Me Going There”

spend this Award to start a backflash scene how you secretly have tried to struck a deal with an antagonist 10 days earlier.
cost: 20 Downtime Days (plus maybe gold if you spend it during the backflash scene)

“Working the Ranks”

you gain a mission from a Faction
depending on your degree of success, your Reputation for that Faction will rise by 1 or 2
prerequisite: Faction Reputation 1+
cost: 10 Downtime Days

“Training Montage”

gain proficiency in one of the tools (or Languages) from your Faction
prerequisite: Faction Reputation 3+
cost: 10 Downtime Days and 200gp

“Dirty Fighting”

You gain the Martial Adept Feat as a Homebrew Story Award.
note: should you have levels in the Battle Master subclass, the superiority die gained from this Homebrew Story Award will still stay a d6.
cost: 15 Downtime Days and 500gp

“Undercommon by Exposure”

You pick up the local slang and learn Undercommon
note: people from Skullport can immediately spot your “upperworldy” accent.
prerequisite: being able to speak Common
cost: 10 Downtime Days

“Shopping in Skullport”

You use extra time to track down goods from various Underdark merchants.
prerequisite: being able to speak Undercommon
cost: 1 Downtime Day per shop visited

Dead Man's Corner (Spellbook/Zombies)

This ramshackle and crammed shop is run by Olivia Stillwater.

She lets you copy some spells for “free”: t.m. you do not have to pay an additional cost to the cost to copy these spells, but you have to swear an oath to Olivia Stillwater, that you will always memorize spells learned this way (in case a fire breaks out).

Skullport firebrigarde spells:

2. gust of wind (Evoc.), warding wind (Evoc.)
3. sleet storm (Conj.), tidal wave (Conj.)
4. watery sphere (Conj.)

Zombies:

• you can buy “zombies on a leash” for 50gp a piece here

Feathered Rat (Mounts/Familiars)

A petshop run by the half-elf Ulvira Snowveins.

She sells the following mounts:

• deep rothé pack beast for 50gp
• giant riding lizard for 100gp
• trained cave badger for 500gp

also, for a fee, she can teach someone to increase their list of summoned familiars

• add campestri to your list of conjurable familiars for 50gp
• add cranium rat to your list of conjurable familiars for 50gp
• add tressym to your list of conjurable familiars for 100gp

should you have a pseudodragon familiar via your Pact of the Chain warlock feature, she can show you how to strengthen your bond:

• learn to share your familiar’s Magic Resistance trait as long as your pseudodragon is within 10 feet of you, for 1500gp

House Auvryndar (Poisons)

This drow house sells various poisons. Malice Auvryndar, who hangs around the Bat’s Roost fighting pit, handles most of the “merchandise”.

• (200gp) Drow poison [injury]
• (400gp) oil of Taggit [contact]
• (600gp) torpor [ingested]

Nightshade's Caress (Potions)

An apothecary shop run by the mummy known as Nightshade.
She sells the following potions:

• (50gp) potion of climbing
• (50gp) potion of embalming fluid (as potion of healing but works on undead instead)
• (250gp) potion of greater healing (4d4+4 HP)
• (250gp) potion of fire resistance
• (250gp) potion of water breathing
• (1250gp) potion of invisibility

Poisoned Quill (Spellbook/Scrolls/Teleportation-Circle)

A mage shop run by the eccentric Tasselgryn Velldarn.

Poisoned Quill spells:

You can pay her to copy spells from her spellbook.
Prices are in addition to the cost to copy these spells.

1. [25gp] absorb elements (Abj.), comprehend languages (Divin.), detect magic (Divin.), identify (Divin.), illusory script (Illu.), mage armor (Abj.), ray of sickness (Necro.), shield (Abj.)

2. [75gp] augury (Divin.), continual flame (Evoc.), gentle repose (Necro.), invisibility (Illu.), knock (Trans.), spider climb (Trans.)

3. [150gp] counterspell (Abj.), dispel magic (Abj.), feign death (Necro), fly (Trans.), stinking cloud (Conj), water breathing (Trans.)

4. [300gp] arcane eye (Divin.), dimension door (Conj), greater invisibility (Illu.), locate creature (Divin.), Mordenkainen’s private sanctum (Abj.), polymorph (Trans.)

5. [750gp] cloudkill (Conj.), modify memory (Ench.), passwall (Trans.), Rary’s telepathic bond (Divin.), seeming (Illu.), teleportation circle (Conj.)

6. [1800gp] guards and wards (Abj.), move earth (Trans.), programmed illusion (Illu.)

Poisoned Quill scrolls:

• spell scroll of comprehend languages for 50gp
• spell scroll of detect magic for 50gp
• spell scroll of ray of sickness [attack +5; DC 13]) for 50gp

Teleportation Circle

• you can persuade her to use her teleportation circle for a fee of 50gp per person

Sword & Sextant (Maps)

A map shop being run by a pair of halfling brothers Oleander and Will.

• crude map of Skullport for 50gp
• buy lots of maps of Skullport widely varied in age and quality for 500gp

Old Xoblob Shop (Trinkets)

This curiousity shop is run by the gnome Xoblob. It is famous for the stuffed beholder that hangs above its front window.

Couriosities for sale:

• a potion that permanently turns a magic item purple, for 10gp (max. 3)
• gain a random trinket for 5gp (max. 3)

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please keep in mind, that these Homebrew Story Awards only work at my table

[noxous]

This sounds very interesting as a campaign setting, would love to join and play. As a disclaimer, i have run Dragonheist twice as a DM (autumn & spring) will that be an issue of me joining on your end?

Cheers!

[Darthbinks]

there might be some things you might recognize in 2 out of 12 adventures
(as well as having some DM knowledge about two Underdark organisations)
but that’s about it

[noxous]

Lovely then if that ain’t a blocker i’d love to join - haven’t been a player for a while and its time i put some of my character templates to use

[Scorp]

Sort of a newer player to D&D in general, but I have been playing long enough to understand quite enough at the very least, as I’ve been playing for a few months in another campaign with some friends over Discord where I’ve learned quite a lot.

Is it fine if I deep my feet in the waters here? Would love to participate

[Hamer]

I’d love to be on board!

[Darthbinks]

@Scorp @Hamer

thanks

just join one of the V.A.L.U.E. games when I plan to run this
(not this week though, since I will be a player)

should you have any questions, feel free to ask them

[DutchyGio]

Hi,
I’d like to join in. It would be my first time joining in to a V.A.L.U.E game, let alone an in person D&D game. I’ll be making a T1 character. I’ll be coming in on April 21st, so I’ll be sure to ask around and figure things out a bit too.

[Darthbinks]

sure

just post on the relevant weekly (?) V.A.L.U.E. post when I am dm-ing this that you wanna show up and then will see (not this week though, since I will join as a player)

if you arrive early, someone could help you with character creation

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should you have questions feel free to ask them

[Atoh-nym]

Uuuuh Skullport…can you book a spot this Friday, will try to make it with shady t1. Are we starting at lvl1?

[Darthbinks]

@Atoh-nym

Are we starting at lvl1?

the first 5 adventures will be T1 ( … and the first and the second adventure will be max. level 2)

@Atoh-nym

can you book a spot this Friday

this Friday I will join as a player
pretty high chance I will start the week after that

please keep in mind that this is the info-dump / homebrew awards thread
… to join please post in the V.A.L.U.E. thread of that week

[Darthbinks]

Downtime Activities for selective Characters:

“Divine Parasite Removal”

for Bok (@DutchyGio)

You run around in Skullport to find someone, that could help you remove the spider parasite in your ear. A remove curse spell should be enough, right?
note: this will be tricky and there is a chance that this might backfire …
Cost: 10 Downtime Days & 90gp

“Afterlife Gambling”

for Arken (@Martin), Bok (@DutchyGio), Richard (@ThatGuyTed), and Walter (@jboimler)

You may spend gp to gain gambling chips to have the chance to win prizes at the Afterlife Casino.
note: non-consumeable magic items gained this way are awarded instead of the magic item awarded for that session
Cost: 2 Downtime Days (only 1 Downtime Day for Arken (@Martin)

• Charlatan’s Die (10 golden chips)
• potion of healing (50 golden chips)
• Deck of Illusions (100 golden chips)
• breastplate (500 golden chips)
• if T2+: Gambler’s Blade (1000 golden chips)

“Advanced Heist Magic”

for Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli)

You can transscribe Heist Magic spells into your spellbook.
Cost: normal amount of Downtime Days and gp cost

“Vampire Training”

for Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli), Liandrin (@Stracci), Willam (@MarkusW), Walter (@jboimler)

You can try to persuade Lord Morlin to change your race into a Dhampir.
Cost: 10 Downtime Days (only 5 Downtime Days for Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli))

“Biopunk: Reforged Ring Edition”

for Bok (@DutchyGio) and Liandrin @Stracci)

You can get various fleshcrafts implanted into your body.
These are all individual Homebrew Story Awards.
You can find the fleshcraft-list here.
Cost: 10 Downtime Days & 600gp, each

“Noblesse Oblige”

for Willem (@MarkusW)

You try to get Aaron, the noble you have saved, back to the surface … a daunting task.
From his thankful family you will get +180gp (so 480gp total) from this adventure, and the noble family of House Irlingstar from the metropolis of Waterdeep will be forever grateful to you.
Cost: 10 Downtime Days

“From the Cradle to the Grove”

for Yarrow (@cat4laugh)

Prerequesite: being able to cast the druid grove spell
Time to create the two-headed snake grove dedicated to Demogorgon, the Prince of Demons!
Maybe this would allow you to create more of this magic dust you found in the Abyss?
Cost: 20 Downtime Days & 666gp

“Giant Riding Lizard”

for Bok (@DutchyGio), Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli), Liandrin (@Stracci), Dr. Goosejet (@PatrickD) and Richard (@ThatGuyTed)

Ulvira Snowveins from the Feathered Rat shop could train your giant riding lizard for you. So it would also be willing to leave the Underdark. You then can use it as a mount in games on my table. Cost: 1 Downtime Day plus 100gp

“Beshaba’s Favours”

for Sirius (@BufoBufo)

For every Beshaba’s Curse (see the post below ) you have successfully used, you may gain one Homebrew Story Award from the following list.
Cost: 5 Downtime Days, each

Beshaba's Favours

“Quicken Duplicity”
Prerequisite: trickery cleric 2+ of Beshaba
You can activate your Invoke Duplicity class feature as a bonus action.

“Improved Cloak of Shadows”
Prerequisite: trickery cleric 6+ of Beshaba
You can use your Cloak of Shadows class feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus without the need to spend a use of your Channel Divinity feature.
You regain all uses of this Homebrew Story Award after a long rest.

“Venomous Strike”
Prerequisite: trickery cleric 8+ of Beshaba
Creatures suffering poison damage from your Divine Strike class feature, must pass a Constitution saving throw against your cleric save DC or suffer from the poisoned condition till the beginning of your next turn.

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please keep in mind, that these Downtime Activities only work at my table

[Darthbinks]

art by Christopher Cant

Lady Doom is smiling

Beshaba’s Divine Homebrew Story Awards for Sirius (@BufoBufo)

“The Curse of the Stubbed Toe”

Status: USED

At any point during a game, you can spend this Story Award to choose a creature with toes and reduce its walking speed by 10 feet until it regains hit points. This does not affect swimming and flying speeds.
This curse does neither require line of sight, nor an action. You even can use this Story Award against a creature your character does not even know.

“The Curse of the Priceless Drow Vase”

Status: USED

At any point during a game, you can spend this Story Award to choose a creature, who is holding a nonmagical object. That item will “accidentally” fall on the floor, shatter and be destroyed. This curse does neither require line of sight, nor an action. You even can use this Story Award against a creature your character does not even know.
Note: Just touching an object (e.g. “holding a door”) won’t be enough to qualify for this curse.
Note: You cannot use this curse against Liandrin (@Stracci) however since she made an offering to your goddess Beshaba.

“The Curse of the Losing Streak”

Status: ACTIVE

At any point during a game, you can spend this Story Award to choose a humanoid, who is currently gambling. The target will lose as much as possible in that game, followed by trying to win their losses back only to lose even more. The curse will end at dawn.
This curse does neither require line of sight, nor an action. You even can use this Story Award against a humanoid your character does not even know.
Note: You will not be able to use this curse, if a player character is involved in that game.
Note: You cannot use this curse against Quentin Togglepocket and his employees however since he made an offering to your goddess Beshaba .

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please keep in mind, that these Homebrew Story Awards only work at my table

[Darthbinks]

New Spells: Heist Magic

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A Wizard with Reputation: Rag Mage of 3+ can copy these spells into their spellbook for the normal amount of Downtime Days and gp cost.

… so far only Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli) can do that

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1. blockade (Conj.), lost in the dark (Necro.), scholar’s touch (Divin.), secret weapon (Illu.), shock and awe (Ench.)
2. ashes to ashes (Necro.), bat sight (Trans.), private conversation (Evoc.)
3. amorphous form (Trans.), glitterdust (Conj.), listening coin (Divin.)
4. enter shadow (Illu.)
5. false vision (Illu.)

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Amorphous Form

3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: S, M (a pinch of gelatin)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You transform a willing creature you touch, along with everything it’s wearing and carrying, into an amorphous oozelike form. While in this form, it can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing. It gains a swim speed and climb speed equal to its walking speed, and it can move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings, while leaving its hands free.

Ashes to Ashes

2nd-level necromancy (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 10 feet
Components: S, M (a pinch of bone dust)
Duration: Instantaneous

You turn a corpse you can see to dust. The body and all its nonmagical equipment disintegrates. This spell has no effect on undead.

Bat Sight

2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a handfull of peckled bat ears)
Duration: 10 minutes

One willing creature you touch gains blindsight out to a range of 10 feet. It can’t use this blindsight while deafened. For the same duration the creature has vulnerability to thunder damage.

Blockade

1st-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 5 feet
Components: V, S, M (a small wooden block)
Duration: 1 minute

You call a cube of solid wood, 5 feet on a side, into being. The cube must be created upon solid ground in an empty square. If no solid surface exists that is large enough for the cube to fit on, or if no adjacent square is empty, the spell fails. The cube weights 2,000 pounds. It is an object that has 600 hot points and AC 15. It completely fills one 5-foot square.

Multiple cubes can be stacked. If it is pushed into water, the cube floats.

Enter Shadow

4th-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: S, M (a drop of liquid shadow worth 50 gp)
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

You or a willing creature you touch enters another creature’s shadow and become incorporeal. The other creature has to be adjacent to the target. By joining that creature’s shadow, the subject that enters its shadow becomes part of the host creature, lingering within its shadow. If this spell is cast from a hidden location, the host creature does not notice what has happened if the target makes a successful Dextery (Stealth) check opposed by the host’s passive Perception.

The target can follow the host creature as long as the duration lasts and there is some darkness available. If the host creature ever enters an area without sufficent shadow (such as the area of a daylight spell) the spell ends immediately and the host creature’s shadow ejects all creatures. In this case, the ejected creatures must make a Constitution saving throw against DC 15 or be stunned until the end of their next turns.
If the target wishes to leave the host creature’s shadow before the spell’s duration expires, it can do so at will, but unless the target makes a successful Dexterity (Stealth) check (opposed by the host’s passive Perception) the host notices the change in its shadow.

A target with the Shadow Step feature can use it from within the host creature, to simplify the process of leaving its shadow.

At Higher levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can target one additional willing creature for each slot level above 4th.

False Vision

5th-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (40-foot cube)
Components: V, S, M (jade dust worth 50 gp sprinkled into the air, which the spell consumes)
Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours

For the duration, any divination magic used to view anything within a 40-foot cube centered around you instead receives a false image (as the major image spell), as defined by you at the time of casting.

As an action you can alter parts of the illusion. You can also alter some parts in a way that illusionary creatures appear to be walking. Similarly, you can cause the illusion to make different sounds at different times, even making it carry on a conversation, for example.

Creatures who perceive the area without the use of divination magic are unaffected by the illusion.

Glitterdust

3rd-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of ground mica)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You create a cloud of golden particles that waves through the air inside a 30-foot cube within range. The golden particles stick to everyone and everything before quickly settling out of the air. Each creature in the area is coated in the dust and mist make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature becomes blinded for the duration. Invisible creatures and objects gain no benefit from being invisible if they are coated in the dust. Additionally, a creature coated in the dust suffers a -10 penalty to Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

A the end of each of its turns, a blinded creature can make a Constitution saving throw. On a success, the creature is no longer blinded.

Listening Coin

3rd-level divination
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (two coins, worth at least 1cp each)
Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours

You turn two ordinary coins into magic listening devices - one a sensor and the other a receiver. After casting the spell, you simply give the sensor coin away either surreptitiously or overtly. By holding the receiver coin up to your ear, you can hear whatever transpires near the sensor as if you were there (much like the effect from a clairvoyance spell). If the sensor coin is in a pocket, pouch, or sack, you have disadvantage on any Perception checks to hear through it.

The coins continue to function no matter how far apart they are, although they fall silent if they are on different planes of existance.

Lost in the Dark

1st-level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, M (a drop of pitch black ink)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

This spell interferes with darkvision. One creature you can see must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure it looses any darkvision it might possess for the duration of the spell. Truesight, blindsight, tremorsense, and other senses still function normally.

The target has advantage on this saving throw if its darkvision comes from a spell such as darkvision or from a magic item. When you use this spell against a creature without darkvision, the spell fails.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell with a slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature within range for each slot level above 1st.

Private Conversation

2nd-level evocation (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Choose up to eight willing creatures within range. The targets of this spell can converse without anyone overhearing what they are saying. Creatures who can read lips might still be able to determine what is said, but no amount of listening allows one to overhear the conversation.

While under the effect of this spell, a creature can still speak to someone not affected by the spell, but all can hear that conversation normally. Only when an affected creature speaks to another affected creature does the conversation remain private.

Scholar’s Touch

1st-level divination (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a scrap of parchment, a pinch of tinder, and a thin crystal disc)
Duration: Instantaneous

With this spell you can touch a book or scroll and absorb the knowledge contained within as if you had just read it. This is equivalent to a solid read through but not deep study - you do not gain perfect recall of the information, just whatever you would have gotten from reading it completely once. If you can’t read the language of the source, the spell has no effect. This spell cannot be used to prepare spells or to cast magical scrolls, nor does it have any effect when reading a magical book (such as a tome of understanding)

Secret Weapon

1st-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a thin black cloth)
Duration: 1 hour

You touch a weapon, causing it to seem to disappear from view. It does not become truly invisible so much as easily overlooked. Everyone gains +10 bonus on Dexerity (Sleight of Hand) checks made to conceal or hide the weapon. This spell even enables someone to hide weapons they normally wouldn’t be able to physically (such as a greatsword on a kobold).

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell with a slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional weapon for each slot level above 1st.

Shock and Awe

1st-level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 minute

One creature you can see, that is is surprised, suffers a -10 penalty on its initiative for the duration of the spell. When you are targeting a creature that is not suprised with this spell, the spell fails.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additonal suprised creature for each slot level above 1st.

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please keep in mind that these Homebrew spells will only work on my tables

[Darthbinks]

Unlocked Homebrew Story Awards:

“One Armed Devil Victim”

unlocked by Arken (@Martin)

You learned how to loose your gold in the Casino fast.
The “Afterlife Gambling” Homebrew Downtime activity costs only 1 Downtime Day for you. (instead of 2 Downtime Days)

“Paleoichthyology”

unlocked by Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli)

You researched the ancient prehistoric fish Ikariam saw in his vision.
You learned about the physiology and the culture of the Aboleth.

“I (Still) Have Trained for Exactly This”

unlocked by Bok (@DutchyGio), Ghundralt (@Jackfruitchilli) & Willem (@MarkusW)

Since you have not used your “I Have Trained for Exactly This” award, you can keep it and use it in a future adventure in Skullport.

“The Best Cathedral”

unlocked by Ildun (@Atoh-nym) & Arduria (@Arthilas)

While within Skullport, you can find the Cathedral of Cyric, by searching for the secret entrance and failing an DC 15 Intelligence saving throw.

“Curse Deflection”

unlocked by Sirius (@BufoBufo)

Thanks to your generous offerings to Beshaba, your cries to be protected from the vengeance from other deities have been heard … but Lady Doom shields her flock in her own style.

Should Sirius be forced to make a saving throw against a curse, you can spend this Award before rolling to use his reaction to deflect the curse to a different creature. The new target will be chosen at random.
note: what will happen, when you use this Award, while there are no other creatures within 60 feet, remains to be seen …

“Fluent in Binary”

unlocked by Canderous (@DutchyGio’s +1)

You can speak, read, and write Modron.

“Hell of a Bargain”

unlocked by Arduria (@Arthilas)

At the beginning of the next game you play this character at one of my tables, he has to spend 5 Downtime Days to duel the demon lord “Demogorgon” at the beginning of the game session.

Instead of fighting as well as spending the Downtime Days, your character can sign a working contract with the archdevil “Mammon”.

“The Weight of True Names”

unlocked by Dr. Goosejet (@PatrickD) & Sirius (@BufoBufo)

The knowledge of True Names weights heavy on your soul:

• Sirius (@BufoBufo) suffers a -1 penalty to all Death saves.
• Dr. Goosejet (@PatrickD) suffers a -2 penalty to all Death saves.
• The bonus Dr. Goosejet (@PatrickD) gains from Arduria (@Arthilas) Aura of Protection feature is doubled.
• Every time, when Arduria (@Arthilas) regains one or more Sorcery Points, your plasmoid regains a Bardic Inspiration die if within 60 feet.
• The “Rag Mage” cannot use its Legendary Resistance against Dr. Goosejet’s (@PatrickD) spells.
• The “Rag Mage” cannot reduce the damage from Dr. Goosejet’s (@PatrickD) arrows of undead slaying.

“A Potion of Liquid Pain”

unlocked by Willem (@MarkusW)

This magic potion inflicts one level of exhaustion, but protects the drinker like a death ward spell for 8h. As a side effect, the subjects suffers from disadvantage on saving throws resisting demonic possession for the same duration.
Consumers resist all three effects with a successful DC 15 Constituition save, that they can choose to fail.
note: this award is considered a consumeable magic item at my tables

“Thrall to Demon: Demogorgon”

unlocked by Yarrow (@cat4laugh)

Should you ever die, your soul goes straight to The Gaping Maw, the 88th layer of the Abyss, where you will be reborn as a Maw Demon (NPC).
You can only be revived through a careful worded wish spell.

“Two Beautiful Minds”

unlocked by Yarrow (@cat4laugh)

You can get the benefit of an Action Surge (as the Fighter feature). This however will deal d8 ability damage to you (50% chance Intelligence, 50% chance Charisma). Should this reduce one of your ability scores to 0, you will die.
You heal the ability damage suffered from this award after a long rest.
note: You only can use one Action Surge per round.

“Fleshcraft Antenna”

unlocked by Bok (@DutchyGio)

Your eyes had been replaced by antennae that sprout from your eye sockets.
You have blindsight to a range of 30 feet.
Penalty: You are blind beyond this radius.

“You (Still) Really Had Me Going There”

unlocked by Liandrin (@Stracci)

You spend this Award to start a backflash scene how you secretly have tried to struck a deal with an antagonist 10 days earlier.

“Steps of the Drowned Fey”

unlocked by Veldrin (@Valzon)

You can use this award to cast the misty step spell. Once you did so, you regain the use of this award, after you finished a long rest, or until you drop the hit points of a creature, that leaves a corpse, to 0, whatever comes first.
You vowed to bring more corpses to Dead Mans Corner, Olive Stillwater’s shop in Skullport.

“Smells Fishy”

unlocked by Veldrin (@Valzon)

You failed the hag Olive Stillwater once … and it shows.
Your hair has been turned into wet seaweed, you skin got an olive hue, and you have a fishy smell.
You have the feeling that failing her again, will be your doom.

“You Did This!”

unlocked for everyone

Your actions over these 12 adventures have change the Underdark city of Skullport quite a bit. Should I ever run V.A.L.U.E. games in Skullport in the future, no matter which players would join, I will incorporate the changes you made to the setting into such games … for better or worse.

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please keep in mind, that these Homebrew Story Awards only work at my table