Ashes and Aether (LGBTQ+ and Beginner Friendly)
A vast desert frontier is yours to explore. Search for fortune, hunt bounties, fight against (or join) cults, or take on corrupt aether barons.
About the adventure
Ashes and Aether is a high-fantasy frontier campaign set in the sun-scorched lands of Isathra, where you'll find machines, magic, and mayhem, hopefully with a side of fortune. This is a world where ancient vaults lie buried beneath the sand, where outlaws ride aether-powered skiffs, and where saloons echo with the clash of spells and steel. The frontier is lawless, filled with broken empires, dangerous cults, and arcane-charged storms that twist the land and those who dare to tame it. You’ll start your journey in Duskwatch, a rough-and-tumble town on the edge of the Varran Confederacy. From there, your party can follow bounty postings, dive into old ruins, or chase down whispers of the Second Sun, a prophesied event that threatens to reshape the world in flame and madness. This campaign is a sandbox at heart; players will choose their paths, pick their allies, and uncover the secrets buried in the dust, one job at a time. This game is run using Daggerheart, a bold and narrative-first TTRPG that makes character growth and roleplay the centerpiece of every session. Whether you're a complete newcomer or a veteran gamer, this system encourages storytelling, meaningful choices, and dramatic moments at the table. We welcome players of all experience levels and make sure everyone gets a chance to shine. Expect cinematic duels, deep character development, mysterious factions, and tough moral choices. The tone is gritty but hopeful, like a good western with magic humming in the background. If you want to ride trains through arcane dust storms, outwit warlords and cultists, and leave your mark on a world where legends are still being written, this is the game for you.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Sandbox / Open World
Theater of the Mind
Game themes
$15.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Sunday – 9:00 PM UTC
2.5–3.5 Hour Duration
0 / 6 Seats Filled
GAME MASTER
Strange Arcade
he/him
5.0
(3)
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
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Meet the Game Master
5.0
(3)
3 years on StartPlaying
14 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Creativity, Knows the Rules
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 89%
About me
Hey there! My name is Joe! For years, I have had ideas for settings and adventures that I'd like to create and feel that now is the time to unleash these creations for others to enjoy. My GM style is to allow the players to shape their story, by allowing each character to develop their own relationships with the world around them through role-play and to achieve success through challenging combat. I am here to guide you through an epic quest of your own making, to shape an adventure full of laughs, thrills, drama, and most importantly, fun. I am excited to meet you, and look forward to being a part of the story we can create together.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will be finalized in Session 0. These characters will be made in the Daggerheart system, so brushing up on some YouTube videos is highly recommended, I like Ginny Di's video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdMo0f3kxKk Demiplane will have the character creation tools necessary and will be able to be used with Roll20.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To prepare, you'll need a working mic, a discord profile, and a desire for fun and adventure. I use Roll20 for maps and character movement. You can use physical dice, if you'd like, or you can use Roll20 digital dice. Character sheets will be up to you as well, you can create a character on Demiplane, use a fillable PDF, or have a physical sheet.
What Strange Arcade brings to the table
As a GM, I bring a collaborative and immersive experience to the table. I love using character voices and descriptions to bring the world to life, keeping the action flowing while making every player feel like a hero. I run my games on Roll20, embracing its visual tools and maps for a smooth, engaging experience. My style leans into the rule of cool, if it’s awesome and fits the story, we’ll make it work, but I’ll also reference RAW when needed to keep the game fair and consistent. Whether you’re a veteran player or just starting out, you can expect a welcoming table, lots of laughs, and epic moments you won’t forget.
Homebrew rules
With Daggerheart being so new, homebrew will be developed as we go. I do have a couple that have come up already: Optional Gold - We can either go with the Daggerheart recommended system, or we can use individual gold pieces as the primary currency and keep a Party Loot system. Hope Bartering - Want to do a cool thing with an ability that is a little outside of what the RAW says that ability can do? Let's haggle to see if we can make it happen.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Strange Arcade creates a safe table
Your safety, comfort, and enjoyment are my top priorities at my table. I strive to create a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment where players of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities can thrive. Here’s how I make that happen: Lines and Veils Line: A hard boundary. Any topic placed behind a Line is completely excluded from the game. It never appears on-screen or off-screen, and no one references it. Example: “No sexual violence” means that element does not exist in the story at all. Veil: A soft boundary. The subject may exist in the setting, but when it arises the scene quickly fades out or skips details. Think of it as a cinematic cutaway. Example: “Fade to black on intimate scenes” lets characters initiate romance, then the narration moves on without graphic description. Session 0: We’ll have a Session 0 to discuss expectations, preferred playstyles, character creation, house rules, and safety tools. I’ll outline the tone of the game, ensure everyone’s comfort levels, and answer any questions. This is also a great opportunity to build connections between characters and set the stage for our story. X, N, & O Cards: Safety tools like the X, N, & O system will be available throughout every session. These will be used digitally in our chat, and players can either type a quick message or message me privately if they prefer. Here’s what each card means: X Card: The scene has crossed a line and needs to stop; the scene will be changed immediately. N Card: A warning of nearing content that could be close to a line or veil. Currently, you are safe, but proceed with caution or shift to the next scene. O Card: A check-in card. Open Communication & Aftercare: After each session, I’ll check in with everyone to see how they’re feeling about the session. Players are encouraged to share any concerns, highlights, or suggestions. If needed, we’ll take extra time for decompression and processing, either as a group or one-on-one. Inclusivity & Respect: This game is LGBTQ+ friendly, beginner-friendly, and a safe space for players of all identities and backgrounds. I will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or disrespectful behavior of any kind. My goal is to ensure everyone feels valued, heard, and excited to return to Valeward University each session. Your fun and well-being are what make the magic happen!