Dynasty of Blood - Ryoko's Guide D&D 5e Campaign (Weekly)
Dungeons & Dragons 5e | Campaign
About the adventure
It is an era of blood and fire. A monster wears the raiment of Shogun. His power is absolute, the Emperor secluded and hidden away from society. Wars are waged between provincial lords and house leaders, all vying for greater land and greater riches. Confident and cruel nobles and samurai wield the power given to them by the shogun. The peasantry is ground beneath the heels of the aristocracy, though none more than those who are not truly human. Clans strive against one another in cruel games of politics and warfare, using subterfuge and espionage to turn the tables in their favor. They ply the peasantry for soldiers to throw away in their dark games, with very few getting out of it alive. Darkness swells over the people like a plague, for both human and non-human alike. If you aren't a player in the game, then you aren't worthy of respect. Power is absolute, and will determine your fate in this world. Whether it is the ongoing conflict between clans, cruel brigands on the roads, or monsters in the shadowed places, you can't turn your back even for a second. With Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms and several other books, race towards your ambition in a world where only the strong can make the rules. Achieve your desires the best way you know how, and take what is rightfully yours. Face off against the forces of evil, or potentially join their side. Your path. Your choice. Welcome to the Dynasty of Blood.
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
“Rule of Cool” emphasizes creative story beats over sticking to a system’s rules as written. Players have the ability to push the limits of the rules or even break core rule mechanics at times if the Game Master thinks it is interesting, fun, or cool enough.
Roleplay Heavy
“Roleplay Heavy” games place the focus on the story, the characters, and the world they live within, and tend to lean hard into the various roleplaying elements of the game. These games will frequently find the party talking with NPCs, exploring the personal elements of their backstories, or even having emotional moments around the camp fire.
*PCs at level 14* **Half off your first session! This applies to both Session 0 and Session 1! Reduced price for first sessions after Session 1** Growth has stagnated in a land filled with warring clans under the oppressive rule of a cruel warlord. With the shogun's laws supported by the daimyo below him, the roving bands of soldiers and zealots have made life difficult for the human and nonhuman citizens of this great empire. Clans are vying for land and wealth, and samurai abusing their power and taking it out on those of lesser status - or a different race. Utilizing Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms and other in-depth research, this world will draw you in with the dark, brooding atmosphere and underlying current of fear. Between the oppressive regime and the monsters that permeate the shadowed portions of the world, you can't turn your back for a second. Feel the world breathing around you as you and your party members carve a path toward your ambitions. Share your goals or plot your ascension. Political intrigue, war, subterfuge, and assassination await as the players in the great game of clans vy for dominance. Will you serve a despot to achieve greatness, or will you rely on fate to guide you?
5.0
(20)
3 years on StartPlaying
241 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Storytelling
Average response time: 15 hours
Response rate: 100%
Additional details
How to prepare
Players will need a working microphone, either Firefox or Chrome as their web browser for Roll20, alongside an account with Roll20 and an account with Discord. Keep an ear out for the rules for what is and isn't allowed, and be prepared to make a character that fits the group you are in.
What I provide
I will be providing the VTT using Roll20, with custom maps, tokens, and side content provided by Ryoko's Guide to the Yokay Realms and other similar content. I will do my best to provide character voices for the NPCs players will interact with. Should a playlist be found, it will be provided as background music as long as it fits the story and situation. Tactical combat is a must. With enemies working together to destroy you and those around you, knowing the best ways to defeat them and use the environment against them. This is a gritty story with lots of violence and cruel people. Use everything to your advantage. I love the Rule of Cool. If it's rad and makes sense, and you roll well enough, then let's go! I am willing to waive rules if it helps the story and the universe around us. The money system will be reliant on gold and silver, with most commoners having silver coin more than gold coin. Expect normal weapons to be cheap and magical ones to require a sponsor/spokesperson or lots of coin.
Gameplay details
Limits and triggers will be discussed during Session 0, either through open discussion or private messages. Breaks will be taken as needed and at the middle hour of the session. Players are free to step away if things are getting too intense or too close to home as this is a story not for the faint of heart. Players will have the option of playing a human or non-human race, with the knowledge that playing something that isn't human comes with the stigma and prejudice of those NPC's that support one side of the argument or the other. All classes and races produced by WOTC and other approved content is allowed, alongside the use of spells and subclasses from them as well. Magical talent is denoted as either onmyoji for wizards or sorcery for other spellcasting classes - or divine magic for clerics and paladins. Onmyo go to school to learn magic while others get it from a supernatural source or through their lineage.
Content warnings
• Ableism
• Abuse
• Alcoholism
• Alcohol Use
• Animal Cruelty
• Blood
• Character Death
• Classism
• Death
• Deep or Large Bodies of Water
• Devils / Demons / Fiends
• Drugs (addiction, use, withdrawal)
• Emotional Abuse
• Execution
• Extreme Violence
• Fire
• Genocide
• Gore
• Illness
• Insects
• Language/Cursing
• Mass Death
• Medical Issues
• Mental Illness
• Mind Control
• Mind alteration
• Murder
• Mutilation
• Mutilation of Corpses
• Police Brutality
• PTSD
• Racial Profiling
• Racism
• Scars
• Self-Harm
• Slavery
• Snakes
• Spiders
• Suicide
• Talk of Superior Race
• Violence
Safety tools used
• Breaks
• Luxton Technique
• Luxton Technique Discussion
• Open Door
• Session 0
How will character creation work
Characters will be made during Session 0 and before initial sessions for those joining late. Stats will be rolled using the Discord bot Avrae, using the "4d6 Drop the Lowest" method. Roll two groups of stats, rerolling any die roll that is below ten until it is ten or above, and choose between the two groups which you'd prefer. Characters will start at level 4 and progress towards level 20 by the end of the campaign. Aesthetic changes to classes will be discussed during Session 0 and during character creation for future player characters.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
High
Roleplay
High
Puzzles
Low
Experience level
Beginner
Platforms used
• Discord
• Roll20
$15.00
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Weekly / Sunday - 3:30 PM UTC
Apr 13 / Session 40
2-4 Hour Duration
5 / 6 Seats Filled
Schedule
Requirements
Experience required: Beginner
Age: 18+