We were seeking 5 players, we got 8. Recruiting is now closed for this game . IF you want an alternate position, players may apply, but we are super full. To those who are not a part of this, I am sorry, I hired on first come, first served. Thanks for your interest. Normally I am a *Professional, Paid DM*, but I will be running this game **FREE** To teach. This campaign will be Free, for the Duration of the Campaign. **SETUP** This is a D&D 5e, Gritty Realism, Low-Fantasy, Slow to Level Campaign, for Beginners to Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Roleplaying. Game Location: online, via Discord and roll 20. A microphone is required, as we will use discord for voice Game Schedule: Early AM PDT 7 AM-10 AM. **Brief Introduction to the Setting:** (Further briefing documents will become available as the campaign moves forward) It is Late in the Autumn Season of the Year 680, according to the scribes of the Tower of Tomes, who record and keep the Archives of History in the Magocracy of Valonde. 700 years ago, the city of Baardithorp was considered "The Jewel of the Uthithar Empire" It was a city of Wondrous Magic, and many Wizards of the Empire dwelt there, until a great cataclysm devastated the land. A vast Wild of epic-strength Chaos Magick blasted outward from the city, rending creatures and structures alike. As it passed, it transformed everything and tore asunder the land. The peaks of the Fellspire Mountains erupted, awakening from millennia-long slumber, choking the air with grey ash and flame, creating the Black Waste, Burying the Elven town of Tyaera, and setting the Dwarven town of Dolzerg aflame for weeks. Records from before that time "The Ancient History" were lost, except for those few that have been found in small fragments, hoarded by the Loremasters of the Magocracy, and other private individuals seeking knowledge of the time before the current civiilization. It is a known fact, that before The Blackwave", there existed the Tomes of Kathrona , scribed in The Arcane Language of the Great Drakes. These are known by Legends among the common people as "The Ancient Dragon Magicks." The legends that are told among the common folk say that the Tomes of Kathrona were consumed and burned to embers in the magick hellfire of the Guardian of Secrets, the Female Red Dragon, Xenestrasza, after the fall of Baardithorp, to keep the secrets of the Ancient Drakes from the hands of looters. Seven Centuries have passed since the Blackwave warped and twisted the Land. Now, long after, most of the magick has seeped from the world, dissipated by the Blackwave, and in the East, above the Hellspires, many days are filled with gloom, in the lands of the Black Waste, as the sun often hides behind grey clouds of ash. The Recent History: The Wizard Gelmire, Lord of Courage, The Last Great Wizard-King of Valonde, perished 20 years ago. His heir Baela the Shield-Maiden, is struggling to maintain her power across the Magocracy, of Valonde, beset by multiple threats to her rule, and Valonde is full of conflict: Assassins have attacked and slaughtered whole noble families. The Temples of the Magocracy have fought amongst themselves for followers for years, with no end in sight. Insidious evil cults of Warlocks and Evil Witches have taken root in the forests, holding secret meetings with their Infernal Masters, who are promising power to those who would sell their souls for Eternity. Bandits and Mercenary Sellswords are a continuing problem, the latter cast adrift to the Western Forests, and Fields of the Magocracy after the Devastating Campaigns against Kigossi in the Far East. These Ruffians, along with common Thieves and Rogues prowl the trails, and high roads of the Steel Blade Peaks, and continue to prey upon small groups of unescorted travelers. Behind closed doors, at the Ghostport of Azad, rumors abound of an even more sinister plot coming to fruition.Prophets of Law, and Seers peering into the Future have foretold of a great Darknesd to come. To those who would name it, these days are but the Beginning of the Age of Dark Magick. The Campaign begins in the lonely Tradepost of Birdsong Falls, as our party of heroes, called together by fate, meet at their favorite roadside stop, the Shattered Oak Inn. * * * * This will be a narrative style, immersive roleplay, "gritty realism" setting, with a Dark Ages feel. The campaign is a Low Fantasy, Low Magic, Slow to Level game. The characters are mostly Human, primarily non-spellcaster PCs. Episodes will involve more roleplaying, puzzles, and exploration than combat, but there will be combat. Players are encouraged to engage in Deep Character Immersion, as much as possible. New players to D&D or the 5th edition are welcome to participate. I am writing a setting briefing doc. Costumes and webcam use are optional, and if you want to wear a costume, etc, while playing, you are encouraged to do so. Or not. I ask that players portray the character as written within their alignment, using suggested personality as a guide, in the beginning, as you develop your character from Traits, Bonds, and Flaws. The DM gives each player three sessions to figure out the aspects of their character that they would like best, for best fit with their personality, and the party. After the player has played three sessions of the campaign, please no random or unwarranted personality changes, unless it is fitting with the ongoing style and episodes already completed. Some of the characters will be Morally Questionable, or Ambiguous Morality, but most of the Characters are good, and / or heroic in nature. Please, no murder Hobos . That is defined as a group of lawless characters, going from town to town, slaying at will. Killing Anyone they they meet, just because they feel like it. Please do not go there. I do not want to run a murderous outlaws game. This type of activity will be met with full responses and consequences as befits the setting as already described. No inter-party violent conflict. No Directly EVIL CHARACTERS will be permitted, even as replacements for characters meeting death during the campaign. We need to work out what stories the players want to experience- Via a pregame / session zero meeting, where we will discuss what we expect from the game itself, and also discuss and agree on the Social Contract, how we will conduct ourselves during the game. The DM's real name is James. A 56-year Old US Navy veteran, living in Thailand.
