Ashes of Candlemas

How to prepare

Before stepping into Ashes of Candlemas, players must come prepared—both technically and mentally—for a grounded, immersive roleplaying experience. This campaign is set in a version of 1356 that is dark, brutal, and rooted in the realities of medieval life. If you’re ready to take it seriously, you’ll thrive. Here’s what you’ll need: Microphone Required – A clear mic is essential. This is a voice-only campaign hosted on Discord. You must be able to speak and listen clearly for in-character roleplay, tactical discussion, and meaningful interaction. No text-only participation. No Webcam Needed – This is a theater-of-the-mind game. You do not need a webcam, but you’re welcome to use one if you like. Accounts You'll Need – • Discord (free) – Our campaign hub, where vetting, scheduling, updates, lore, and between-session roleplay happen. • D&D Beyond (free) – All character creation takes place here. A campaign link will be provided. • Chronica (free access) – You’ll be invited to our private campaign dashboard for world events, NPCs, player logs, and daily updates. Character Creation – Characters must be submitted before Session Zero and approved by the DM. Only humans allowed. Only 2014 or 2024 PHB classes. Point buy or standard array. Full instructions are posted once you're vetted. Reading the Rules – You should have a working understanding of the 5e system, especially if you're joining as a martial or spellcasting class. New players are welcome, but must be willing to learn quickly. Familiarity with Medieval Feudalism Is Critical – This is not a modern fantasy world. Characters live within a rigid social hierarchy. A commoner does not speak to a knight like an equal. A priest does not take orders from a sellsword. Players must understand and roleplay within these constraints. If you want to act like a modern adventurer with no respect for class, custom, or religion—this is the wrong campaign. You will receive prep materials upon joining, including: Historical background briefings (to understand the Hundred Years’ War and setting) Maps and visuals to orient you within the world A primer on medieval etiquette and religious conduct Sample character templates for inspiration Lastly, come ready to listen, think, and feel. This game runs on immersion. Players are expected to stay in character, engage with the world, and respect the tone of the setting. Out-of-character chatter is kept to a minimum during play. Prepare like a knight riding into uncertain war. Because that’s what this is.

What I provide

As your Game Master, I bring nearly 40 years of experience running immersive, character-driven campaigns. Ashes of Candlemas is more than just a weekly D&D game—it’s a living historical world where your choices leave real scars and your name, for better or worse, echoes in sermons, gossip, and song. You’ll be stepping into a campaign unlike anything else on the market—crafted for those who crave consequence, realism, and depth. Here’s what I provide to enrich your experience: D&D Beyond Integration – 2024 Players Handbook unlocked, historical backgrounds, faith-based oaths, and equipment grounded in medieval realism. Discord Voice Chat – Weekly voice-only sessions to ensure immersion and fast-paced play. Chronica Campaign Manager – A complete digital archive of everything: your characters, world events, factions, loot, enemies, daily news, and relationships. Custom Battle Maps and Tactical Combat – Hand-built maps based on historical locations and terrain. Sieges, ambushes, and skirmishes are crafted with realism and strategic depth in mind. Photo-Realistic Visuals: Images from Around the Realm – High-quality visuals are provided throughout the campaign, from war-torn hamlets and castle ruins to character portraits and battlefield aftermaths. If it exists in the world, you’ll see it. Narrative Extras That Keep You Immersed Between Sessions – • Island of the Prince: Deep Dive Podcast – A weekly lore podcast that explores the characters, factions, and events from a modern lens. • Martha the Goodwife’s Rumors – Every week, players receive a list of whispered rumors, peasant gossip, and half-truths overheard in the market, the tavern, or behind the altar. • Carla the Serving Wench’s Reports – The most famous bard in Europe chronicles events as they unfold. Her accounts are poetic, biased, and sometimes dangerously close to the truth. • Daily Campaign Calendar Events – Time matters. You’ll receive updates about troop movements, village burnings, papal decrees, and strange omens as the world turns. My GM style is highly immersive and consequences-driven. I run with the Rules as Written as a foundation but embrace historical accuracy and in-world logic above all. Magic is rare, combat is brutal, and death can come from blade, betrayal, or blizzard. Every decision matters. There are no throwaway NPCs or plot armor here. I play this game with respect for the period. Dialogue is grounded in 14th-century sensibilities—expect religious tension, noble pride, superstition, and fear. I use character voices and keep personalities consistent. A bishop sounds different from a deserter. A serf dares not speak as a knight. This campaign is not for everyone. If you want casual dungeon crawls, high magic, or silly antics, this is not your battlefield. But if you want to be feared, remembered, or redeemed—if you want to feel the war in your bones and taste ash on your tongue—you are welcome here. This is Ashes of Candlemas.

Gameplay details

This is a brutal, historically grounded campaign that explores the harsh realities of war, faith, betrayal, suffering, and survival in 14th-century Europe. As such, we do not rely heavily on safety tools, and this game is not appropriate for players working through personal trauma or seeking a gentle fantasy experience. We do not use X, N, or O cards, and there is no Lines and Veils document. Themes such as violence, disease, starvation, religious persecution, and moral compromise are present and often unavoidable. If this level of realism or intensity offends or upsets you, this is not the right campaign. That said, we do care for our players and take the emotional weight of the game seriously: Session Zero includes a full overview of the setting, themes, restrictions, and expectations. You will know exactly what kind of campaign you're stepping into. Aftercare is offered after every session, with time set aside to decompress, discuss difficult scenes, and provide feedback. Breaks are scheduled midway through each session to let players stretch, refocus, or step away if needed. Players are always welcome to message the DM privately after a session if something crossed a line or made them uncomfortable—we will handle it discreetly. This is a game for mature players who understand the setting and are choosing to immerse themselves in its dark beauty and brutality. There is no shame in saying it’s not for you—but there is no compromise in what this campaign is. If you're ready to walk into fire with your eyes open, you'll find your place in Ashes of Candlemas. If not, then may God guide you elsewhere.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

How will character creation work

Character creation for Ashes of Candlemas takes place before Session Zero, and every player will be vetted to ensure this campaign is the right fit for them. This is not a high-fantasy romp—it’s a historically grounded, consequences-driven narrative set in a brutal version of 1356. If that excites you, welcome. If you’re just here to roll dice and sling spells, this won’t be your battlefield. Vetting begins as soon as you join the Discord server. You’ll be asked a few questions to make sure you understand the campaign’s tone, restrictions, and expectations. Once approved, you’ll receive access to the private campaign channels and resources. Here’s what you need to know about character creation: Race: Only humans are allowed. No exceptions. This world is shaped by religion, politics, war, and superstition. Elves and dragonborn have no place here. Classes: Only classes and subclasses from the 2014 or 2024 Player’s Handbook are permitted. Some subclasses may be restricted or require justification based on setting realism. You must receive DM approval before finalizing your class and subclass. No third-party or homebrew options are accepted. Starting Level: All characters begin at Level 1. You are not heroes—you are survivors, soldiers, and sinners trying to endure a world set ablaze. Stats: We use point buy (27 points) or standard array. No rolling for stats. Platform: All characters must be created and submitted via D&D Beyond. A campaign link will be provided. Sheets will be reviewed, and once approved, locked for editing. Backgrounds: Use one of the custom historical backgrounds provided in the campaign materials or create one using PHB guidelines—with medieval realism in mind. Commoners, knights, priests, hedge doctors, deserters—all welcome, so long as they feel real. Backstory: All characters must include a written backstory (minimum 1–2 paragraphs), set within the world of Island of the Prince. Ties to England, Scotland, or the Holy Land are encouraged. Backstories will be used to drive story arcs and relationships. Alignment & Tone: No cartoonish evil or chaotic nonsense. You can be proud, cruel, zealous, or broken—but your character must have depth and be able to function within a party. If approved, you’ll gain access to worldbuilding materials, NPC dossiers, daily news updates, and campaign extras like Martha the Goodwife’s Rumors, Carla’s Reports, Images from Around the Realm, and the Island of the Prince: Deep Dive Podcast—all of which add life to the world between sessions. This campaign is not for everyone. But if you’ve ever dreamed of walking through ash-strewn villages, negotiating with broken priests, and making impossible choices with a blade in one hand and scripture in the other—then you may just belong. Apply with your concept. The war waits for no one.

Combat / Tactics

Medium

Roleplay

Medium

Puzzles

Medium

Experience level

Beginner