Ashpound's Secrets - Custom Campaign [Beginners/🏳️‍🌈 friendly]

Creating your character

• We will create the characters sheets together through sessions zero and one (usually session 0 is more than enough). • The characteristics will be determined with the building points system (a system where you have a certain amount of point with which you can buy the scores) set to "heroic" (20 BP). • Starting level for the characters is level 1. • We use the Background Skills optional rule • It is possible to use pre-generated characters if you previously tell me at least 12 hours before the session • I will also provide some guidelines for the background creation for those who may need them, that are a guided worksheet for brainstorming the character backstory. • The characters sheet will be done with FoundryVTT, the program we will use to play. • I strongly advice against setting your mind to play a specific character before properly knowing the adventure's details such as mood, pace and setting, and in general to always have a back-up character you desire to play just as much. I can better explain the reasoning behind this advice in videocall. • In order to play online, we will use FoundryVTT and it is required a reference art for the players' tokens. After careful thought, my policy is to not accept AI-generated images created specifically for this purpose. This means if you find and download an AI-generated image on Pinterest, DeviantArt or any other similar site, it is okay for you to use it as the character's reference art; you can therefore send it to me along with the link from where you took the image. However, I do not accept anymore images created specifically for the games, as I find nonsensical to waste so much resources on extremely low quality artworks of which can be easily found way better alternatives made by real artist or persons who are more proficient in the use of such generative tools.

Preparing for the session

• A stable internet connection. • A browser to access to the FoundryVTT website, Chrome and Edge are verified options • A Discord account, since we will use the program to talk with each others. (https://discord.com/) • A working microphone and set of headphones • At times, when I am travelling, it will be required to use "ZeroTier One" a client application by the company ZeroTier that acts as a VPN and allows to set up the peer-to-peer connection required for Foundry to work. The software is broadly deemed as one of the most secure options among these kinds of services. I recommend to look into it if you have any doubt about it, but anyhow it is optional and I am available for any kind of question on the topic. • In order to join the adventure it is not required to play with a webcam, and everyone is welcomed in the way they are most comfortable with. However, before properly joining the group I must do a videocall with each players to confirm whether they are a good match for the group and myself (and the other way around, of course). I will just go more into details about the adventure, what to expect from it, my playstyle, answer all your questions and concerns about it, and we can discuss ideas for your character if you already have them. Even if for this singular occasion it must be a proper videocall, even if it by using your mobile phone camera, for it is important to me to get to properly know my players and assure that the group has the right chemistry in order to last throughout the length of the adventure. I also always advice to have a physical notepad with you to take notes on dialogues, names, loot etc. It can also be done digitally but I always found that my players tend to have a greater immersion in this way.

What Vale brings to the table

Tools and platforms • I use FoundryVTT to host the game, creating a digital space where the adventure takes place • I use different tools to make custom tokens and maps (Inkarnate, Dungeon Scrawler etc.) • I have a dedicated Discord server for the group to chat, store infos and videocall with everyone during the sessions • I also tend to use a lot of custom made handouts, original soundtracks and other homebrew content. Character Creation • Character creation will take place before and during session 0, although I am available off time for consulting or videocall about it. • Uncommon and creative choices for races, traits and classes etc. are very welcomed but to be discussed to best fit the story and setting. Bring on all your crazy ideas! • I can provide a set of Guidelines for creating the characters' background from which to draw inspiration. Roleplay • I use character voices according to the style of the players, if they prefer a more in-character/theatrical approach or an extradiegetic storytelling style for their characters. Combat and Rules • Ideally I hope to focus more on the general mood of the fights and how these relate to the characters. • I make a large use of creatures with specific resistances and weaknesses, awarding in this way researching your enemies and strategize the beast approach against them in advance. • I tend to generally follow the rules but bending them for awarding creative strategies and roleplay focused ideas. • I sometimes use custom game mechanics in order to handle any occurrence that may happen in the story.

How Vale creates a safe table

For Lines and Veils we use the standard version by Monte Cook with some additions that I will forward to the players. The X, N & O's are communicated through chat directly with me or in the group chat, as you are more comfortable with. In session 0 I also plan to go over what are your expectations for the group and the campaign, both for your characters and for your experience as players.