🕵️Steampunk Detectives | Arcane meets Dishonored | ❤️ LGBTQIA+

Creating your character

If you are a new player, I'll be there with you every step of the way, so don't worry if these rules look like a lot of nonsense. Characters created using EITHER the 2024 or 2014 rules are allowed, with some caveats further below. I work with every player to create compelling characters that blend seamlessly into the setting. I'll provide you with prompts to flesh our your character and as much lore information as you need to make informed decisions. Your character will be finalized with a one-on-one meeting with me to discuss and fine-tune details before your first session. Please do not plan to make joke characters or characters whose purpose is to cause mischief or mayhem. Creation rules: • Official content from the D&D Players Handbooks and Dungeon Masters Guides (2014 AND 2024) is automatically approved • Additional core WOTC published books that AREN'T setting books are also automatically approved (IE: Tasha's Cauldron of Everything) • Content from Setting Books and Third Party sources is subject to GM approval • 27 point-buy, default starting equipment • 5e variant human is banned (replaced with 5.5e human), and characters created using 2014 rules also get an origin feat at level 1 • TCE expanded origin customization rules for species and backgrounds are in effect Additional third-party rules: Arcane Artillery: The Gun Nuts Guide for 5th edition • ONLY the primitive firearms list, none of the classes/feats/etc --- Character Background Details --- I ask for five important details in addition to your character's backstory. These details are best written after session 0, as you will have a much stronger idea of the setting. Adversary - Someone you know who you can't stand, and who also can't stand you. Friend - Someone you'd go out of your way to help and who would do the same for you. Regret - Something you did or did not do in the past that still haunts you to some degree. Aspiration - A dream or goal that feels out of reach but might be achievable someday. Profession - The profession you were hired to perform at the detective agency, and how you became proficient in that profession. Using the above, I'll bring the related NPC's and organizations to life as part of your personalized long-term story arc.

Preparing for the session

Get started by joining the Discord server and letting me know you've decided to play or are thinking of playing 👉 https://discord.gg/C3F3ratQ87 To access the Foundry Virtual Tabletop (Foundry VTT) and join us on Discord, you'll need: 💻A computer that can run Foundry VTT (requirements here: https://foundryvtt.com/article/requirements/) - At least 16GB of RAM, otherwise, some of my custom maps may crash your browser. 🌐A high-speed internet connection (preferably wired) - Make sure to use a Chromium-based browser like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Foundry VTT is unstable on Firefox, particularly for audio. 🛠️An account on the hosting service, Forge-VTT.com 🔊A Discord account 🎧Headphones with a microphone - Please don't use a built-in laptop mic or earbuds with a mic in the cable. Our soundscape is our stage for play, and those types of microphones tend to introduce a lot of background noise 🤫A quiet space where you can keep loud pets/people out while playing 🧿NO webcam required. I don't use one, and neither do any of the players so far

What Zoey brings to the table

Years working for RP companies as an in-house GM and game designer, and a decade of experience as a Game Master Personalized narratives and NPCs. With every player I do a one-on-one character-building meeting where we will tie your character's backstory, adversaries, allies, regrets, and aspirations into the setting. I also bring to the table: 🗺️ Custom-made maps and battle maps (Check out my BlueSky for examples https://bsky.app/profile/zoeyodyssia.bsky.social) ✒️A detailed setting written over years of sessions, complete with a WIP Players Guide 📚All the D&D 5e core rulebooks and supplements 🎶Curated music playlists to set the mood 🖼️Visual aids to help spark your imagination (and NO AI!)

Homebrew rules

Exploration is intentionally left vague in the D&D core rules because so many campaigns run it differently. • Exploration into The Depths beneath the city Engress is run as a hex-crawl featuring custom rules based upon the Hexploration rules by Mystic Arts. • Dungeon Turns, 10-minute group turns with rewards for taking your time in dungeons when appropriate. • The above two systems help create a stronger narrative space for time pressures and the associated risk/reward of making pace or taking it slow. --- Resting --- As this campaign focuses on mystery and intrigue, most groups see combat infrequently. This throws off the D&D balance quite a bit, as the game is designed around 6-8 daily resource-expending encounters. By adjusting how rests work, we can make those infrequent combats feel more meaningful. Instead of just sleeping off any injuries, these rules mean it can take a couple of days to get back in good shape. They also turn expeditions into The Depths into particularly harrowing adventures. • The Slow Natural Healing optional variant rule from 2014 D&D is in effect. Spend remaining hit dice to heal on a long rest instead of recovering full HP • Long Rests in unsafe places only recover half of your Hit Dice.

How Zoey creates a safe table

We'll organize on Discord and run sessions using Foundry Virtual Tabletop Session 0 will help you decide if this is the right campaign for you and includes: ☑ Group review of anonymized boundaries from the RPG checklist 🧐An overview of the setting and what to expect 🤝Collaborative character creation 🗫 Discussion of what you want to see the most in the campaign Sessions will be: 🕒3 to 3.5 hours with breaks as needed 🚪Open door, you can step out at any time if you need to 🎭 Roleplay-focused, with occasional combat 🍿Filled with mystery and drama