Howdy hey, folks. I'm looking to open an old westmarch. We have a handful of custom rules but for the most part we stick somewhat close to the SRD. Most custom rules are to make the game better balanced around a westmarch playstyle. The concept of our westmarch is a little bit different compared to the concepts of most westmarches. Rather than starting at level 1 or 3 or 5 or whatever, you'll start at level 0 with four characters. Those four characters will be put through an adventure and most are not expected to survive for very long. The survivors immediately go to level 1 after their first quest and gain some equipment that they wouldn't have otherwise. If you have more than a single survivor, they can also become characters which you can swap between based on what quest you're signing up for. We have some restrictions on classes and subclasses which can be most readily boiled down to a handful of rules... We do not allow Artificers, Blood Hunters or Mystics into our games. Artificers do not fit the world, unfortunately, nor do Blood Hunters. Mystics... just no. Some subclasses (we're still compiling a list) are banned as well. Echo Knight is the biggest among these subclasses, for purposes of theme primarily. You do... however... gain some other advantages that you would not have otherwise... Your character gets an origin feat! This is something unique to our setting and is NOT a standard feat. Origin feats can give weapon proficiencies, skill proficiencies and more based upon where your character is from in the Divinicus Echora universe. Your level 0 characters will, once they reach level 1, have better equipment than most level 1 characters. If all of your level 0 characters die, you will simply roll new stat blocks and run them again. Some quests may even have leveled party members in them who can aid in keeping your level 0s alive. Our westmarch plays less like a random series of one shots and more like a cohesive campaign! Our staff are constantly working together in tandem to write stories that are server-wide. For example, your character might be in one particular faction during a war... but what of the other side? What of the other players fighting against your side? Their stories matter just as much... and you'll see missions run for both teams in such an example. Maybe there's a lich that the entire continent is hunting down! Sure, there's always the one party that does succeed but what of the others that failed? They can offer knowledge... and may even directions so you're not hunting the place down. Worried that your favorite character will die? You're probably correct! We don't hold back here. Our monsters hit hard but... they do have incredible weaknesses. In order to survive, you'll need to plan ahead. Your stats will matter less than your ability to think outside the box, experiment, do in-game research (wizards are usually the best at this) and use your downtime accordingly. Don't fret though, because everyone's favorite character is the one that grabs a book (y'know, that normally useless piece of equipment) and writes their knowledge down to sell off to others! Let's look at some other features, shall we? You will enter a world where ROLEPLAY will matter more than your stats. Dice roll simulator 9000 is cool and all but this is a tabletop ROLEPLAYING game. You will enter a server with a LIVING economy. NPC shopkeepers? They'll exist... but you have to pave the way for them to enter the world. If you are one of the first to enter, you'll be one of the first adventurers to settle this new world. That means not only exploration but economy as well! Get rich on other people's labor? You can! Start up your own kingdom? Yep! Start up your own business enterprise? Bingo! And your fellow players will buy from you too most likely... Things break and weapons and armor are no exception! Maintain your equipment... and bring spares! The world is dark, gritty and hits hard! Steel yourself... and pray to Pelor to help you! Gritty realism? Check! You'll get one long rest per week and one short rest per day. It takes time... but it's better than spell casters constantly spewing all their spells at the beginning of an encounter and leaving nothing for anyone else to do, isn't it? So if you think you'd be interested... give us a ring! We're all waiting and excited for you to join us!
