http://roll20.net/

This free software allows us to play DnD over the net, using either dedicated video chat, or G+ hangouts. It also, obviously, provides a platform for creating campaigns, maps, encounters and the like. If, for example, next year I go to melbourne and cannot make it back to play as often as I would like, we could use this.

Feel free to do more research, and look into it.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDNext.aspx

Get a free Wizards account and sign up.

Foril’s personal standard is a purple dragon on a black field. The king recently carried the ensign of the Purple Dragon, which can be borne only by a blood Obarskyr, into battle in the Year of Darkenbeasts Risen. Today, Foril’s son Irvel commands the nation’s armed forces. The crown prince doesn’t have the title of Lord High Marshal of the Realm, but does have all the responsibilities of the post.


Purple Dragons
To enforce the royal word, Cormyr maintains a large standing army called the Purple Dragons. The force is named in memory of the adventuring band of the same name formed by Crown Prince Duar Obarskyr (thanks to legends of the dragon Thauglor) centuries past.
Rank in the Purple Dragons from junior to most senior is as follows: Blade, Telsword, First Sword, Swordcaptain, Lionar, Ornrion, Constal, Oversword, Battlemaster, and Lord High Marshal. The Highknights
are a handful of loyal, dedicated, dangerous Purple Dragons who serve the royal family as personal enforcers, spies, and envoys.


Imperial Navy
The two score ships of the navy of Cormyr — known colloquially as the Blue Dragons — sails often out of Suzail, Teziir, and Palagarr (on the isle of Prespur) to patrol the Lake of Dragons, the Neck, and the waterways that lead into Cormyr’s domain. The Warden of the Port in Teziir, Duke Penfold Dauntinghorn, is considered the high commander of these forces, though he officially commands only the fifteen ships that dock in his home port.
The Blue Dragons have only three true ranks. The captain of a ship is its absolute lord and master, operating with impunity in any fashion except that which violates the ship’s standing orders. His lieutenant sees to the day-to-day operations on board the ship, including supply, rationing, and other sundry details. Every other Blue Dragon is a sailor with a specific role to perform (purser, yeoman, sailing master, boatswain, master-at-arms, and so on).


War Wizards
From the founding of the kingdom, mages have been important to Cormyr in warfare as well as other matters. Mages loyal to the crown sign an agreement with the king and make a secret oath, thus becoming War Wizards. These wizards are an integral component of Cormyr’s military, and they are respected and feared across the land.

We'veP goLt a grFoup D&D Insider accountI. Ask me if you wNanAt login detaiLls.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/subscription.aspx

You opened your eyes. A tall, pale man with flowing robes stood before you. He points, and you see behind you several figures. Some are dead, one is more alive than ever, and the last fades between man and woman. You are standing on the edge of the world. Together, you step off and fall.

Robert Thatcher woke with his girlfriend, Stacey, lying beside him. He felt little for her, but it kept some kind of humanity in his life. The day passed quickly until he reached the hour of his first International Poker Tournament. After winning $150,000, Stacey coaxed him back into his bed. He didn't really care much, but he had drunk a huge amount of alcohol, and so they did the deed. At the point of climax, Robert had his vision, his Awakening. He knew it was right, he knew there was something more. He always had, and now it was confirmed.
Stacey noticed he seemed detached, different after passing out, but she convinced him to go watch the Razorkids at the club Nocturne...

Jose woke on a plane landing in Heathrow airport. A cab had been arranged for him, and he was swiftly transported to his hotel on the edge of the CBD. When he was finally contacted by his friend, Peter, he began to make his way to Nocturne. Just before he entered, though, he heard someone in the alleyway. As he approached, he realised it was Peter. Peter woke up and attacked him.
The next thing Jose knew was ambulance officers' amazement at his recovery, though he still had no pulse...

Eric Winmore woke at his work, BJ's Records, to find himself being berated for his lack of attention. He was then offered a lifeline; if he investigated the new band, Razorkids, then he could keep his job. So Eric made his way to the club, and bumped into the lead singer, Devon, who gave off a strange, unsettling aura. After some brief questions, Eric met with one of the band's agents, who led him backstage to meet with the band, it was bad timing, though, as he saw on of the band members feeding of another agent. Eric was knocked unconcious. When he woke, the room was empty. He made his way back into the club...

John Slater woke later than usual. It was only a few hours until the first MMA pre-season match for the year. He had a headache and couldnt remember last night except that girls and drink may have been involved, though he was not sure to the extent. John won his match, and after, as he made his way to the car, Herbs, the man he beat, shot him twice. When he woke, there was a wheezy, once beautiful voice in his head, and a black cane in his hand. The voice told him to go to the club, and he didn't know what else to do, so went, confused and scared...

The club was dangerous. Lifeless figures mingled amongst the living, the latter being non-the-wiser. Dancing and loving life, the crowd jumped and laughed and yelled until suddenly, the bassist, a good looking woman, threw away her bass guitar and ran outside...