Into the Ashlands

How to prepare

Make a Discord and a free Fantasy Grounds account (not Unity version) (alternately, a Roll20 account); both are free and necessary for easy communication and play respectively. A link to the Discord will be sent out via the prep material; the discord will have information about joining the Fantasy Grounds session. Select one of the following Characters, and contact the DM for a choice of one of two magic items. Each description includes character name, race and class, description, alignment, and a note about species if you're unfamiliar with the Humblewood races. -> Abraxa Midwinter, the Corvum Necromancer (Wizard). An empathetic soul that believes in the greater good and holds a love of knowledge. Her methods are... mildly unsettling, however. (Chaotic Good) (Raven) -> Selene Moonweave, the Mapach Cleric of Night (Cleric). A stubborn and faithful heart that works to shield those that cannot shield themselves. Worships Tyton, the great owl of the Night, and seeks signs from him. (Lawful Neutral) (Raccoon) -> Bambi Whitetail, the Cervan Battlemaster (Fighter). A sturdy and reliable ally, her early days have already been spent protecting the Wood from beast, bandit, and corruption alike. (Neutral Good) (Deer) -> Cornelius Greenguard, the Raptor Beastmaster (Ranger, revised). Good-hearted, if a little feral, Cornelius seeks to have his family's name remembered through the good he does. Aided by his giant badger companion, Fergus, the pair is not to be trifled with... so long as Fergus is not distracted by food or belly-rubs. (Neutral Good) (Hawk and Badger) -> Halbera Oakfeather, the Strig Totem Warrior (Barbarian). Stalwart, confident, and built like a blacksmith's anvil, Halbera loves the Wood. With little patience for bureaucracy, she answered the call to adventure to help the Wood more than for wealth or reward. Her totem is the Owlbear, which she emulates in her rage. (Neutral) (Owl) -> Notaraska San'Tael, the Vulpin Warlock of the Fiend (Warlock). Motivated by a desire to break from the dark traditions of his family, Notaraska utilizes the dark magic of his forced pact for the greatest good he can manage. An eloquent and debonair gentleman, Nota is accompanied by a small psuedodragon named Salabog. (Chaotic Good) (Fox) -> Road Mossquil, the Hedge Bard of the Road (Bard). Always quick with a song or a story to lift spirits, Road's appreciation for beauty in the world has set her on a quest to preserve and experience as much of it as possible... though she does occasionally get distracted by that beauty. She's learned a few tricks from Cornelius and Rose. (Chaotic Good) (Hedgehog) -> Lira Tumblefoot, the Jerbeen Duelist (Swashbuckler Rogue). A little too blunt for her own good, Rose has often gotten herself into and out of trouble with her sharp tongue, rapier wit, and... well, her rapier. She's taken up adventure to support the orphanage she grew up in, though she has to balance high ideals with practical morals. (Lawful Good) (Mouse) -> Wilbur Greenfellow, the Gallus Druid of Dreams (Druid). Kind, fair, and a little too honest with everyone he meets, Wilbur is that slightly strange friend that everyone seems to know for some reason. He thinks that there's a lot of joy to be found and shared within nature, and he has a vested interest in helping people find that. He also seeks the truth of the Scorched Grove. (Neutral Good) (Rooster)

What I provide

I will provide the character sheets for all characters. Players are responsible for contacting me to claim their character before the session. Custom Battlemaps were made for this game as well as a small map of the town which is absolutely, definitely not on fire as we speak.

Gameplay details

The gameplay can suit whatever group forms; it can be roleplay heavy, goal oriented, or all about exploration. The goal of the one-shot is to save Ashbarrow by stopping the raids by elemental beasts from the Ashlands and the Scorched Grove; beyond that, I'm happy to make all roads lead to Rome. At it's base, there is some investigation, exploration, and combat required, but creative solutions are welcome. I've run this game many times and every group has managed a different solution that felt right.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

How will character creation work

Characters are premade, level 3 characters. The group will be expected to decide among themselves what characters are played, defaulting to a first-come, first-served method. If you are dead set on playing a certain character that someone else is, or want to create your own, contact me at least 24 hours before the scheduled game and we'll attempt to sort things out.

Combat / Tactics

High

Roleplay

Medium

Puzzles

Low

Experience level

Beginner