Getting Started On Driftriver

Getting Started On Driftriver [Historical]

Driftriver Community is closed. The below is maintained only for historical purposes. Welcome to the Driftriver Community! To get started with our community please refer to the contents of this guide!

Making the Driftriver Decision

We’re proud of our Driftriver Dungeons and Dragons experience but we understand that our choices may not match every player’s ideal experience. Driftriver Guidebook is the comprehensive rulebook and setting guide for the server. Driftriver is a highly inclusive and permissive setting. You can review our permitted content, meaning the allowed races, classes, subclasses, feats, class options, spells and more by visiting our Codex of Content.

Player Registration

Our Driftriver community primarily uses Discord to communicate with each other, coordinate games, and roleplay in text channels. Our Discord can be accessed at Driftriver Community. Once you've joined the Discord server you will only have access to the Newcomers and Registration section of the Discord. Begin by accessing the #information channel to review some information.

Review the Driftriver Privacy Policy and Server Rules
Submit your Driftriver Community Application

A staff member will review your application at their earliest convenience, but you are welcome to prompt the staff for processing using the #community-applications channel in Discord. After a Driftriver staff member processes your application will receive an e-mail with an invitation to access a Google Drive shared folder. You will also be contacted by a Driftriver staff member who will provide you with your Driftriver Player ID#. The registered Discord account will also be promoted to the Player role.

Character Conceptualization

Theme and Story

Think about the kind of character you want to create. What type of person are they? What kind of history or life experiences might they have? What type of goals are they chasing in the world? Perhaps, most importantly, why would they want to cooperate with B.A.S.E. and the city of Driftriver? Much of your character’s story will involve the city, so any characters without motivation to do so will struggle to fit into the server’s structure.

Deciding Where to Begin

Driftriver has two separate systems for character creation.

Traditional Character Creation

You may create a character using traditional methods. Characters can be started at level 1, 2, or 3. By completing Progressors as detailed in the Driftriver Guidebook you can gain up to two additional levels of progression. Completing your Progressors is highly recommended as most games are run at level 5 and above. However, if you are joining Driftriver to participate in a campaign or other special session type, please follow your DM's discretion.

Drifter Character Creation

The city of Driftriver is known for unusual magical activity. Individuals may find themselves pulled through space and time by the magic of the River Ashaba. Typically powerful adventurers exposed to unusual circumstances these characters are called Drifters. Drifters are limited to a certain number per season. For the first season of Driftriver a player may create at most 3 Drifters. Drifters may be created to start at any level between 6 and 20. Drifters must complete all Progressors to qualify as a Drifter.

Very New to DnD 5e?

If you’re very new to DnD 5e we recommend you use the Traditional Character Creation option for your first character. High level DnD has a startling increase in difficulty and necessary strategy. Also please follow along with this guide for additional guidance on the steps. Basic Rules for Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e) - D&D Beyond

Choosing a Race

You may select any race available on the Races tab of the Codex of Content..

Some races have Lore variants. These races must use the ability bonuses and obey the features of the race they are played under, but may use the Lore of another source. For example the Planeshift Aven races may be played, which are bird-headed humanoids with bodies very much like humans. For balance reasons they use the Aarakocra race features despite the fact that Aarakocra have completely bird-like bodies.

Choosing a Class

You may select any Classes and Subclasses available on the Classes tab of the Codex of Content..

You must meet the multiclass requirements for all classes if you choose to multiclass.

Generating Ability Scores

Driftriver does not permit ability score rolling. All characters must be generated using 27 point buy. You can use a website calculator such as D&D 5e Point Buy Calculator to find a favorable array of abilities. Please note this calculator does not include all races available on Driftriver.

Racial bonuses are applied after point buy.

Choosing a Starting Feat

All characters on Driftriver start with one Feat or Ability Score Increase of their choice. This feature is detailed in the class details of each class. Please note the Variant Human race is not permitted on Driftriver. The permitted feats are listed in the Feats tab of the Codex of Content.

Submitting Your Character

Review the pinned messages in the #character-archives channel. Submit your character using the pinned template. You will need to use your Player ID# from your player registration. Staff will review your character concept and contact you if there are any problems, such as missing information, an illegal class or race, or any other concerns. If there are no issues a member of staff will create a Driftriver character sheet in the Google Drive shared folder issued to you during your player registration. Using the Driftriver Character Sheet The Driftriver Character Sheet (DCS) is a Google Sheet that is linked to your character’s BadgeID#. The DCS is the recommended resource for keeping track of your Driftriver characters. When you submit a character in the Submitting Your Character section the staff will generate a DCS within your folder, typically containing the following information in the sheet’s name: BadgeID# Character Name [v#.##] You will be given a new DCS for each character you create on Driftriver. To use your DCS please remember the following guidelines:

Black and teal background sections are not to be edited. You should receive an error if you try to edit these sections.
Edit the white background sections. If the cell you are editing is a dropdown you must pick from the dropdown options.
Avoid dragging and dropping information or copying from one cell to another as this can disrupt links or otherwise disrupt cell merging.

Using the DCS (Progressor 1)

The DCS contains a number of fields for tracking information regarding your character. While the DCS is recommended for keeping track of information you may have your own preferences on how to keep track of your character. The DCS contains sections to track many mechanics, and when possible it attempts to help you by calculating information. The most important use of the DCS however is Inventory Management as it helps players operate within the limits of the Driftriver items systems. NOTE: Using the DCS is not a requirement but most DMs require you to submit application messages generate by it to join games. You can also unlock rewards called Progressors by using the DCS.

Enchanted Items

Driftriver does not award magic items as part of sessions. Instead the idea is that your character encounters items or ideas as their adventures progress. They acquire a special kind of currency called Drops which can be used to enchant items and empower them. These enchanted items do not require you to purchase the mundane item with gold prior to enchantment. They are fabricated only by utilizing Drops which allows for a great deal of customization.

There are a number of highly interactive sections for each enchanted item you create. To create an enchanted item please consider having the Codex of Content handy for reference, as the Enchantments tab of this document will speed your research. The Minors tab will also help you identify attractive options for your minor properties as well!

Begin by selecting the Item Category from the available dropdown. The category of your item determines which enchantments and minor properties are legal.
Select the type of item from that category by selecting it from the Item Type dropdown. This is important for communication information in your application message.
Select your Enchantments from the Enchantment dropdown. Please note that the cost of each enchantment is listed in drops within the brackets.
The maximum number of enchantments on an item is 8.
The maximum Drop value of enchantments you can put on an item is listed under the Drops header, to the right of Item Type. The remaining amount available to you is listed under Left. The Enchantment Limit progress bar will also fill as you add new Enchantments. The maximum limit of Drops you can put into an item changes as you level, as explained in the Driftriver Guidebook.
As you cross certain thresholds listed in the Drop Requirement section of the Minor Properties table you will be able to select new Minor Properties. These are free enhancements for your item that are cosmetic or offer small amounts of utility. From particle effects via illusions to small light effects these minor enhancements can help flavor an item.
Equip your item by checking the Equip box. This will cause the item to count against your loadout and be listed in your application message.
Check to make sure you haven’t spent too many of your Drops by checking the Drops and Loadout section of your sheet.
Come up with a cool name for your item! Remember, this item is your’s to customize and should reflect your character theme and development.
You may enchant a maximum of three total items.

An example of a complete enchanted item is presented below. This is a fully enchanted whip that is only capable of being wielded by the most powerful level 20 adventurers. The whip is enchanted with increased attack and damage rolls, deals additional cold damage on hit, enables the wielder to master a fighting style and can even be thrown/extended to extra long ranges to strike enemies and then return to the wielder’s hands. This is just one possibility within the Enchanted Items system, we encourage you to come up with your own unique approaches!

Mementos & Rank Rewards

As detailed in the Driftriver Guidebook you will receive additional rewards for hitting milestones in your adventuring career. Acquiring these Rank Rewards does not cost the player any Drops but they do count against your Pool to equip and take into a session. These items are intended to help fill the gap for your adventurer by offering some flexibility in acquiring useful consumables, tools or sub-equipment to enhance your performance while still allowing you full freedom in choosing how to spend your hard earned Drops.

To select your Rank Reward simply click the dropdown for each rank you have acquired and select an item from the list. The required level is listed in Rank Level.
Equip your item by toggling the checkbox under Equipped.
Make sure you haven’t exceeded your loadout maximum. If you haven’t foregone AMPs to convert to Drops this won’t be a problem.
Take note of any Quantity/Charges for the item. You can use some items multiple times.
Review any Rules Modifications for the item.
Remember! These are rewards and do not cost you anything to select.

Additional Purchased Magic Items

This section allows you to spend Drops on generic magical items. These items can not be changed from their original form in any way, but can be upgraded if they are part of a series. For example a Shield +1 may be upgraded for the cost difference to a Shield +2.

Select an Item Category for the type of item you are looking to purchase. You can find all available categories and choices in the Codex of Content on the Magic Items tab.
Select an Item Type from the dropdown.
Make sure to toggled it as Equipped by checking the box.
Take note of any Quantity/Charges for the item. You can use some items multiple times.
Review any Rules Modifications for the item.
Remember that there are no attunement limits on Driftriver. You are limited by your Pool.

Mundane Items

This section allows you to track mundane items. Mundane Items can be found in the Mundane Items tab of the Codex of Content.

Select the Mundane Item from the dropdown.
Enter a quantity into Qty.
Select Equipped.
It is recommended you track all of your mundane items, including your starting equipment packages from your background and first class.

Other Items

Did you take a trophy from a mighty creature and you want to keep track of it? This is the place for tracking items. All fields are able to be filled manually!

Filling in your Biographics (Progressor 2)

The Biographics section of your character is the second Progressor and is a simple fill-in-the-blank process. Enter details about your character to help frame who they are as a person and how they might be identified. You do not need to enter a faith, alias, nickname, title or guild to earn credit for the Progressor.

Filling in your Characteristics (Progressor 3)

The Characteristics section of your character sheet is the third Progressor and is the place to store things like your characters personality traits, ideals, bonds and flaws. To earn credit for this progressor we ask that you try to fill in at least 6 of these. These character qualities should help form the backbone of your character’s personality and point towards their character goals.

Filling in your Backstory (Progressor 4)

The Backstory section is a large white box for you to write any character history or backstory. This section is not ‘graded’ as an essay or judged for content. It is simply evaluated for effort put into establishing your character as a part of the world. Here are some ideas to help you:

Why are you adventuring?
How did you come to Driftriver?
What about Driftriver makes you stay?

Submitting Your Progressors

The Progressor system rewards players for putting extra effort into their character design, helping ensure effort and thought are put into characterization before play.

Details for qualifying for each Progressor are available in the Driftriver Guidebook.
To submit a character for review use the pinned template in #character-archives
If your character is a Drifter this is also when you submit your Drifter application. Drifters do not receive additional awards for completing Progressors, instead their completion allows the Drifter to be played.

Purchasing Mundane Items & Inventory Management

You must take a starting equipment package on Driftriver and you do not receive any gold, instead receiving a specific gold amount based on character progression table in the Driftriver Guidebook. To purchase additional mundane items you must submit a Transaction in the #transaction-archives channel. You may not sell any items on Driftriver. Purchases are final. Items you no longer need can be considered in the character’s storage. Staff will log purchases into the database and the gold changes will reflect on your sheet shortly after logging occurs.

Setting Up Roll20

Most games on Driftriver will be played using Roll20 found at Roll20. Roll20 is an online virtual table-top platform for gaming which runs in most browsers. Using Roll20 is very much an art as much as it is a practice. When you register an account with Roll20 you will have some resources available for learning, such as using their tutorial and also their wiki. Roll20 Tutorial Running on Roll20 It is recommended that you search for up to date resources and videos on a site like YouTube for guides on how to get started and create a character within Roll20. NOTE: Roll20 does offer premium content and options to paying members. These are not needed to play a game. Without Plus or Pro subscription, you can still import character sheets into the vault from any game, and can export your sheet to any game made by a paying member.

We're Here To Help!

With all of the additions and changes Driftriver introduces to typical DnD 5e, there are bound to be questions from beginners and veterans alike. Don't hesitate to ask on Discord in the #help channel for any questions related to DnD or the server, #character-workshop channel for discussing ideas for how to outfit and build your character, or reach out directly to a staff member for any questions big or small. We, as a community, are excited for you to join us in playing this amazing game together!

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