Candlekeep Mysteries (Homebrew) - Heavy RP PbP
In Candlekeep, secrets wait in every tome, and each page of the story is shaped by you, unraveling mysteries at every turn.
$10.00
/ Session
Details
1 player following this game
Play by Post (Asynchronous)
Billed Weekly / Monday - 3:00 PM UTC
Sep 28 / Session 48
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
3 / 4 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
3/4
About the adventure
Step into the hallowed halls of Candlekeep, a fortress of knowledge where every tome holds secrets, and every corner whispers of mysteries long forgotten. In this Play-by-Post campaign, the library becomes a living world shaped by the stories of the characters who walk its halls. Your backstory will be woven into the ongoing narrative, giving you moments in the spotlight while keeping the story centered on the group. This story-driven campaign blends character development, roleplay, high-stakes combat, and mysteries. Puzzles, secrets, and narrative hooks reward curiosity, creativity, and teamwork. Before the campaign begins, we’ll have a private exchange to craft your character’s motivations, ensuring your story is meaningfully integrated. Every module I use is a flexible framework, adapted to highlight player stories and add narrative twists. This game is perfect for players who enjoy character-driven storytelling, unraveling mysteries, and immersive roleplay. Respect, communication, and collaboration are key, and while each backstory matters, the adventure is ultimately about the group as a whole. Prepare to explore Candlekeep like never before, where every page of the story is shaped by you, every mystery beckons, and every decision can change the course of the adventure.
Game style
Play By Post
Theater of the Mind
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(5)
1 year on StartPlaying
47 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Beginner Friendly
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 50%
About me
My name is Julien, I’m 39, and I’m a French teacher in LA. I first played D&D back in 1997 when I was in middle school, and after a long hiatus, I returned a few years ago, rediscovering my love for tabletop RPGs and the creative freedom they offer. I started DMing last year and quickly realized how much I enjoy crafting worlds, weaving stories, and bringing characters to life.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation begins before the start of the campaign with a private exchange between the player and me. During this conversation, we’ll develop your character’s backstory, motivations, strengths, and flaws, as well as their reasons for coming to Candlekeep. This ensures your story is meaningfully integrated into the campaign from the very beginning. All characters start at level 1, and players can use standard rulebooks (PHB and other official sources) for guidance. The focus is on creating a character with a rich story and a personality that fits both your personal vision and the group dynamic. This process ensures each character has a strong narrative foundation, allowing personal growth, meaningful choices, and story-driven moments while contributing to the overarching group adventure.
Your character’s background will play a central role in the ongoing story. I’ll work closely with you to ensure your history ties meaningfully into the campaign’s narrative threads. As a hook, your character experienced the same strange dream as the rest of the group: The night deepens. And in that stillness, something begins to stir. Not a sound, not a voice, but a pull, steady and insistent, like a current drawing you down into waters unseen. Your mind drifts. Your breath slows. And then... Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYf7NluE5D4 You find yourself standing in an endless library. The air hums with static, sharp with the mingled scents of parchment and storm. Towers of books stretch into darkness, their shelves twisting at impossible angles that defy reason. Far ahead, a robed figure waits. Its face is smooth and pale, like polished stone, featureless, the back of a skull with no eyes, no mouth. Yet you feel its gaze lock onto you. It raises a hand, and a book drifts from its sleeve into your grasp. The black leather cover is cold, heavier than it should be, and it thrums faintly, almost alive. There is no title. You open it. The words are not words. Each line is a chain, silver and black links slithering across the page, rattling softly as though straining against their own form. You turn another page. More chains, writhing and restless, like metal worms crawling beneath the parchment. Another page. Another. Always the same. You look up. The figure is gone. And now the library itself has become chains. Shelves, arches, even the floor, twisting and tightening, clicking against one another with a metallic restlessness. A living maze of iron. You feel it closing in. Then, a sound. BOOM. The chains shiver, links grinding, releasing faint puffs of stale air. BOOM. The floor trembles beneath your feet. The vibration rattles the shelves above, fragments drifting down like gray snow. BOOM. The third strike splits the silence, and fear forces your eyes shut. When you open them, the library is gone. You stand on a black shore. Salt stings your lungs. Waves crash against jagged rocks. Ahead, a citadel clings to a crag above the sea, lightning dancing in the bruised sky. And then, the storm itself opens its eyes. Vast, hateful eyes blaze from within the thunderclouds, staring down at you, watching, judging, waiting. A bolt of lightning slams into the citadel. You wake... If you love weaving rich stories, exploring moral dilemmas, and breathing life into your character, we’d love to hear from you. Candlekeep awaits… ✨📚🕯️
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Before the campaign begins, players should complete the following steps: Join the campaign Discord server, this will be our primary hub for communication, story updates, and Play-by-Post interactions. Create your character on D&D Beyond, build your character there so that all mechanics and abilities are easily accessible during gameplay. No worries if you’re not familiar with these platforms, I will guide you from start to finish, ensuring you’re comfortable and ready to jump into the story.
What Julien Sensei brings to the table
In my games, players can expect a structured and immersive experience. I often use personalized music to set the mood and enhance the atmosphere. Characters may discover and loot homebrew items, and I balance Rule of Cool with Rules as Written, rewarding creativity when it makes sense, while keeping the game fair and coherent. I value structure and consistency, so I ask players to post at least once per weekday in the main campaign channel. For those who enjoy extra roleplay and interaction, there’s a side-RP channel where you can post more frequently and engage with fellow players. Overall, my goal is to create a collaborative, story-driven experience where your creativity is rewarded, the world feels alive, and every choice contributes meaningfully to the adventure.
Homebrew rules
Before the campaign begins, players will have the option to choose whether to use the following homebrew rules or stick with the standard rules. These rules apply to both characters and enemies, designed to make gameplay dynamic, fair, and exciting: Drinking Potions: Out of combat, potions restore the maximum amount of HP. In combat, using an action heals the maximum HP, while using a bonus action requires rolling the dice. Critical Hits: When scoring a critical hit, the attacker deals maximum weapon damage plus one additional hit die. Natural 1 on Attack Rolls: When a natural 1 occurs, I roll a d20 to determine if it triggers an effect, adding the attacker’s proficiency bonus to reflect their experience. Effects may include minor mishaps like breaking a bowstring, stumbling and falling prone, or other setbacks that add tension without derailing combat. Natural 1 on Saving Throws: If the target rolls a natural 1 on a saving throw, they take an additional hit die of damage. Guidance: The Guidance cantrip can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus (resets after a long rest). Flanking: Flanking grants +2 to attack rolls on the flanked target, encouraging teamwork and tactical positioning.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Mobile Phone
Platforms used
Safety
How Julien Sensei creates a safe table
Player safety and comfort are a top priority at my table. Before the campaign begins, we’ll have a Session 0 where we discuss expectations, boundaries, and any sensitive content. Players can set Lines and Veils, and we use X, N, & O cards digitally via Discord to signal discomfort: X – Skip a scene or content immediately. N – No, this content makes me uncomfortable; modify or pause. O – OK, I’m fine with this content. Aftercare is available for any intense scenes, with private messages to debrief or provide feedback. Throughout the campaign, open communication, respect, and collaboration are emphasized to ensure all players feel safe, comfortable, and free to enjoy the story.
Content warnings
Safety tools used