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Gaia's Cradle: An FFD20 Living World Campaign
$5.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Tuesday – 11:00 PM UTC
2–3 Hour Duration
4 / 4 Seats Filled
Schedule
Report Adventure
About the adventure
In Gaia's Cradle, story elements serve as guiding threads rather than rigid rails, allowing for organic character development and unpredictable outcomes. While the game will start with an objective and direction, players are free to chart their own course, whether it's delving into the secrets uncovered during play, forging alliances with various factions, or carving out their own niche or Free Company. The world is your sandbox, and as you navigate its complexities, you'll shape the narrative with every choice you make. ... Gaia's Cradle, a land shaped by ancient magic and recent conflict. Long ago, a cataclysmic event known as the Shattering caused the disappearance of the goddess, leaving the world in a state of divine absence. This event set the stage for an uncertain future, but also introduced new forms of magic into the world. Our story begins just a few months after the end of a brutal generational war known as the Crystal War between the Ishgard Empire and the newly allied Free Cities of Vermecia, a country recently born of necesity to defend against the Empire. Though the war has ended, its echoes can still be felt throughout the land and the two nations largely distrust each other. Power struggles are rampant as the branches of the Empire and Free Companies of Vermecia vie for control and influence in the new, fragile peace. Adding to the chaos, the untamed lands surrounding the Free Cities are home to the Beastmen, a colloquialism for any monster or race who lives outside the two nations. The Beastmen are a constant threat, launching raids and attacks on the Free Cities. One such stronghold of Beastmen has become particularly aggressive, and their raids have grown bolder and more destructive. In response to these relentless attacks, the Star Sybil of Hildaberry, one of the prominent Free Cities, has decided to take decisive action. She has ordered a direct assault on the Beastmen stronghold to eliminate the threat once and for all. You are a member of a retinue of adventurers hired by a Free Company under contract from the Star Sybil to undertake this perilous mission. Your task is to infiltrate the Beastmen's territory, weaken their defenses, and ultimately bring an end to their raids by routing their leader. Along the way, you will encounter a world rich with history, magic, and intrigue, where every decision you make can shape Gaia's Cradle in it's own way.Prepare yourself for a journey filled with danger, mystery, and the chance to become a hero in a land desperately in need of one! We will play on Tuesday evenings at 8pm Eastern
Game style
Theater of the Mind
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
2 years on StartPlaying
14 games hosted
Highly rated for: World Builder, Creativity, Storytelling
About me
Greetings! My name is Aether! My journey as a Dungeon Master began with 3rd Edition, a classic that taught me the foundations of the game. From there, I naturally advanced into 3.5 and found a home in Pathfinder 1e, where I have run many games across multiple settings. But I'm no stranger to other systems, I've run rulesets such as 5e, 4e, Starfinder, ffd20 and World of Darkness. Yet, no matter the system or setting, my core belief remains the same: Dungeons & Dragons is a game about collaborative storytelling. Both players and the DM should have the opportunity to shape the setting, and through our shared gameplay, dictate the course of the world. I am a firm advocate for player-driven narratives. The direction of the game should always be chosen by you, the players, and I have a particular fondness for character-driven stories where the backstories of the party form the foundation of our adventure. Your characters are not just in the story, they are the story. I look forward to building worlds with you, where every decision has weight, every character has depth, and every session is an unforgettable journey!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Personalized Support: -I will work closely with you both one-on-one and within a dedicated chat on our Discord channel for character creation -Our goal is to develop not only what your character can do but also who they are, crafting a rich backstory that ensures your character has a meaningful place in the world with personal goals and aspirations FFd20 and Pathfinder 1e: -Character creation follows the FFd20 system, which is largely based on Pathfinder 1e, making the process familiar and straightforward for those with Pathfinder experience -We use a 15-point buy system for abilities to balance character strengths and weaknesses -Starting wealth is determined by standard book values, converted to gil -Characters will start at level 1 with 0 experience, providing room for growth and development throughout the campaign Collaborative Character Development: -I am committed to guiding you step-by-step through the character creation process, from initial concept to finalized character, ensuring you are happy with and excited about your character -We will explore your character's background, motivations, and future aspirations to create a well-rounded and engaging character -By the end of Session 0, we will finalize and lock in all party members' characters, ensuring everyone is prepared and excited to start the adventure
What to expect
Preparing for the session
In Order to Be Ready: Technical Requirements: -Ensure you have a good working microphone to facilitate clear communication during the game. -Set up a Discord account, as it serves as our primary communication platform for both voice and text chat -Create and configure your Roll20 account, which will be the virtual tabletop where we bring our adventures to life Character Preparation: -Take the time to thoroughly understand your character's abilities and mechanics, including any special actions or features they possess -If your character relies heavily on specific mechanics, such as throwing items or performing combat maneuvers, it's essential to have a solid grasp of the corresponding rules -By being well-versed in your character's capabilities, you can minimize disruptions during gameplay, ensuring smoother and more immersive sessions Mindset for Challenge: -Approach the game with a desire for challenge and excitement. Our adventures will present formidable adversaries who are just as determined as the heroes to achieve their objectives -Be prepared to face setbacks and obstacles along the way. While victory is always the goal, occasional defeats add depth and realism to the storytelling experience -Embracing the challenges ahead will not only enhance your enjoyment of the game but also foster a sense of accomplishment as you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals
What Aether brings to the table
What I Offer for Your D&D Game Experience Roll20 Environment: -Access to comprehensive tools such as character sheets and dice rollers to streamline your gaming experience. -Flexibility to use traditional pen and paper if you prefer, allowing you to play in a way that suits your style. Living World Participation: -Engage in a dynamic, evolving world where your actions have far-reaching consequences, potentially influencing future or adjacent campaigns. -Your decisions matter, shaping the narrative and impacting the game world in meaningful ways. Custom Battlemaps and Tokens: -High-quality battlemaps and tokens designed to enhance your immersion in the game. -Option to request custom character player art, adding a personal touch to your character's visual representation. Access to Extensive Resources: -Benefit from free online access to a vast array of FFd20 and Pathfinder 1e resources. -Personal guidance to help you navigate and find any information you need, ensuring you have all the tools at your disposal. Ambient and Combat Music: -Dynamic, situation-specific music through a Discord bot, enhancing the atmosphere during both calm and intense moments in the game. Between-Session Opportunities: -Take advantage of opportunities between sessions to handle bookkeeping tasks such as buying, selling, or planning your next move. -This allows for a smoother and more immersive gameplay experience during sessions. Clear and Transparent Expectations: -Establish group-defined rules to ensure that everyone has a memorable and enjoyable experience. -Clear communication and agreed-upon guidelines help create a fair and fun environment for all players. ----- My DMing Style Semi-Sandbox Play: -Objectives and missions are clear but can be approached in various ways or ignored entirely. -This allows for a dynamic, player-driven experience where your choices significantly impact the story. Challenging, Thoughtful Combat: -Combat isn't forced but can be difficult and potentially lethal if approached recklessly -Players can avoid combat through social, stealth, or other creative means, potentially leading to multiple sessions without combat Puzzles: -A heavier focus on investigation, intrigue, and mystery -Traditional dungeon puzzles are rare but significant when they appear Immersive NPC Interactions: -Expect a range of accents and (poorly done) voice acting to bring NPCs to life, adding depth and possibly humor to interactions -Players are welcome to voice their characters, enhancing immersion Emphasis on Teamwork: -Cooperation is key as my games tend to be challenging. -Teamwork is essential to overcoming obstacles and achieving the best results
Platforms used
Safety
How Aether creates a safe table
Establishing Boundaries: - During our initial Session 0, we will have an open discussion where each party member can express any lines (non-negotiable boundaries) or veils (content that can be included but not explicitly described) they have - I am dedicated to respecting and adhering to these boundaries, creating a safe and respectful space for everyone -This session is crucial for understanding each player's comfort levels and ensuring that the game remains an enjoyable experience for all Focus on Fun: - When planning any scenario, my foremost thought is always, "Is this fun?" - I strive to design engaging and enjoyable experiences, ensuring that each session is filled with excitement and satisfaction for every player - My goal is to create a fun, dynamic environment where everyone looks forward to each session and leaves feeling delighted
Content warnings
Safety tools used