Menace Under Otari: Whispers on the Wind (Foundry VTT Forge)

Creating your character

We’ll get things started with a Session 0, so come with a character idea in mind. Your character should have a reason to be in Otari—whether they’re just passing through, a regular visitor, or born and raised there. Either way, there needs to be a reason why Tamli would ask for their help, so make sure to tie your character to the town in some way. Most character options are on the table, but if your character has any morally questionable traits or anything “unusual” (undead, etc.), they’ll need to keep it well-hidden. I’m all for creative solutions—minor illusion scarves or whatever works—but just know that if your cover slips, things might get interesting. We’ll be starting at Level 1, and the Free Archetype and Gradual Stat Allocation rules will kick in at Level 2. I’d prefer to focus on the core books, but I’m open to other options—let’s have a conversation and figure out what makes sense for the game.

Preparing for the session

Mic: You’ll need a mic since we’ll be using voice chat for the game. Discord: We’ll be chatting over Discord, so make sure you’ve got an account set up and ready to go. Forge VTT: The game will be run through Forge VTT, which is a hosting platform for Foundry. I’ll send you a link, and if you’re new to it, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through how it works. It’s easy to get set up and we’ll handle any issues together. Basic Rules Knowledge: Having a general understanding of Pathfinder 2e is helpful, but if you’re new, no worries. I’ll be happy to explain the rules as we go. Character Concept: Bring a character idea with you to Session 0. You don’t need everything fully built, but having a concept ready will help us get started smoothly. That’s all you need! We’ll take care of everything else together.

What Alucair brings to the table

What I Bring I run all my games through Foundry VTT, and honestly, I love it. The dynamic lighting, custom maps, and tokens really help bring everything to life in a way that feels immersive and engaging. It’s great for keeping things organized and smooth, and it just makes the game feel that much more alive when you’re navigating through a detailed, atmospheric setting. I’m also big on using sound effects and background music to set the mood—whether we’re in a tense, shadowy dungeon or a lively town square, I’ll do my best to make it feel real. I like to keep a good balance between roleplay and combat. So, if you enjoy tactical battles, you’ll get that, but there’s plenty of room for character development too. I’m a sucker for crits and fumbles and I’ll let you roleplay those out as much as you want. There’s something fun about leaning into those moments—whether it’s a glorious victory or an epic failure, it adds to the storytelling. And yeah, I’m all about using crit and fumble cards to keep things unpredictable, so you never know what might happen next. One thing I really care about is making sure everyone at the table feels included. Whether you're brand new to roleplaying or a bit nervous about getting your voice heard, I’ll check in with you, give you space to speak up, and make sure you’re part of the story. I like to go around the table and see what everyone’s doing, and I’m not shy about giving a nudge if someone’s been quiet for a bit. It’s important to me that everyone feels comfortable and has a good time. And when it comes to rules, yeah, I follow them—mostly! I think they’re there for a reason, but if something unexpected comes up or we hit a snag, I’m not above making an on-the-spot homebrew ruling to keep things moving. It’s all about having fun, right? If you come up with a wild plan or a creative idea, I’m going to do my best to make it work, because those are the moments that really make a game memorable. You’ll get Hero Points or other little rewards when you think outside the box, and I love seeing what players come up with. I’ve got three kids myself, so I totally get how life can sometimes throw things off track. If something comes up, I’m flexible. We can reschedule or pause—no pressure. This is about having fun and creating cool moments together, not stressing over the real world.

How Alucair creates a safe table

Session 0: This session will be a time to set expectations, establish boundaries, and go over character creation. We’ll discuss any content you’d like to avoid and make sure everyone is on the same page regarding the tone of the game. Lines and Veils: We’ll collaboratively set lines (hard boundaries that won’t be crossed) and veils (content that can be in the story but is “faded to black” or handled off-screen). This helps ensure we avoid uncomfortable situations while keeping the game fun for everyone. X, N, and O Cards: These tools allow players to communicate during the game if something becomes uncomfortable. X-Card: You can use this to remove content from the game entirely. N-Card: This signals that the scene is veering towards discomfort, but with adjustment, it’s okay to continue. O-Card: This signals that everything is fine and you're enjoying the current scene. Open Door Policy: You are free to leave the game at any time if you feel uncomfortable, need a break, or have an emergency. No explanations needed. Regular Breaks: We’ll take breaks during the game to ensure everyone has time to step away, recharge, or discuss any concerns. Debriefing: After each session, we’ll have a quick debrief to check in on how everyone felt about the game, discuss any highlights or concerns, and address anything that could improve the experience moving forward.