Phandrel and Beyond -The Fractured Obelisk

Creating your character

Character creation for Phandrel and Beyond: The Fractured Obelisk begins with our first session, which will be our Session 0, where we’ll discuss tone, expectations, and character concepts. This collaborative prelude will be your chance to ask questions about the setting of Terros V, align your character with the themes of isolation, survival, and unraveling cosmic mystery, and work with others to establish shared narrative threads. We’ll lightly touch on character ideas during the application process, and then finalize characters together during our official first session. All players will start at Level 1. Character creation will take place using ShardTabletop, the VTT platform where the game will be run. If you’re unfamiliar with it, no worries—I’ll walk you through the basics before or during Session 0. Once inside the campaign on shard, you’ll have full access to character sheets, official content, and necessary campaign materials. We will be using the 2014 edition of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition as our rules framework. All published official content from Wizards of the Coast is allowed, including classes, subclasses, species (races), feats, and backgrounds found in official sourcebooks such as Player’s Handbook, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, and others. If a subclass or lineage is not available on ShardTabletop by default, please let me know—I will be able to enable or import it manually. Stat generation will be handled live during Session 0. We will use a standard 4d6 drop-the-lowest method for rolling stats, which will be done either directly in ShardTabletop’s integrated roller or a shared dice roller. Characters are assumed to be newcomers or transient workers in or around the Phandrel Outpost, a fringe colony on the fractured planet of Terros V. Backgrounds may be from any world but should have a reason to be in or near the colony: perhaps you’re a scavenger pilot, a psionic cartographer, a mercenary escorting supply runs, or a runaway fleeing something buried deeper than memory. Cosmic horror, lost technology, and mind-bending discovery are central themes—so feel free to create a character who has secrets, flaws, or a drive to uncover what lies beneath. Other hooks can be provided based off of selected backgrounds and character creation options that I have homebrewed for this converted adventure. Need help building your character or navigating Shard? I’m happy to assist during or before Session 0.

Preparing for the session

To ensure a smooth and immersive experience in Phandrel and Beyond: The Fractured Obelisk, players will need to complete a few simple steps before joining the game: Create a Discord Account All game communication—including scheduling, announcements, session summaries, and character discussion—will take place on our private Discord server. Once accepted into the campaign, you’ll receive an invitation link. Discord is free and easy to use, and it will serve as our main communication hub outside of gameplay. Set Up a ShardTabletop Profile ShardTabletop will be our virtual tabletop (VTT) and character management platform. You’ll need to create a free account at shardtabletop.com and join the campaign shard via the link I provide. From there, you’ll access character sheets, maps, handouts, dice rollers, and other digital tools used during play. Familiarize Yourself with the Genre in Question (Optional, but Encouraged) You don’t need to be a lore expert, but reviewing the concept or premise and tone—isolated colony life, cosmic mystery, and science-fantasy elements—will help you build a more compelling character and engage with the themes of the story. Other platforms (such as third-party audio tools or supplementary wikis) may be introduced as the campaign progresses, but Discord and ShardTabletop will remain the primary platforms required for participation.

What Meyrden brings to the table

As your Game Master for Phandrel and Beyond: The Fractured Obelisk, I am committed to creating a cinematic, immersive, and collaborative storytelling experience. My DM style blends narrative-driven gameplay with dynamic roleplay, intense moments of discovery, and grounded emotional arcs that tie into your character’s personal journey. Each player’s backstory is not only welcomed but woven directly into the living tapestry of the campaign. Your decisions, histories, and motivations will shape the world, its factions, and its unfolding mysteries. This is not a one-way story—it’s our story. Atmosphere is everything, and I carefully curate ambient music and soundscapes to enhance every scene, from the whispering winds of Terros V to the pulse of alien ruins beneath Phandrel Outpost. Expect a tailored audio experience designed specifically for this adventure, elevating every session with tone and texture. I primarily use theater of the mind to maximize creative freedom and flexibility, especially in fast-paced or exploratory scenes. That said, ShardTabletop will support any tactical or visually complex encounters where battle maps enhance clarity or tension. Mechanically, I honor the rules of D&D 5e (2014) as the foundation of the game. However, I’m also a firm believer in the Rule of Cool—if something makes sense, is cinematic, and adds to the story, I will almost always try to make it happen. This is a space where creativity is encouraged, and your character’s bold choices can lead to truly memorable moments. Whether you're a veteran explorer of far-flung realms or a first-time traveler to the stars, my table is a place of inclusion, inspiration, and intrigue. Bring your imagination. I’ll bring the story.

Homebrew rules

To enhance cinematic pacing and emotional tension, I implement a few optional homebrew rules that are offered and discussed during Session 0. These additions are designed to preserve balance while deepening immersion and drama. Potion Bonus Action (Self-Use): Players may drink a healing potion as a bonus action on themselves. Administering one to another character still requires a full action. This keeps the momentum flowing in tense encounters and supports strategic use of consumables. Bloody Critical Hits (Optional): Introduced during Session 0, this optional rule expands critical hits to include visceral, narrative effects beyond double damage. A devastating crit may stagger an enemy, scar them, or shift momentum in a meaningful way. These effects are cinematic, not game-breaking, and used to spotlight pivotal combat moments. However, they can be brutal. More explained during session 0. Hidden Death Saves: When a character is unconscious and making death saving throws, those rolls are made in secret between the player and the GM. This keeps the tension high for the party, eliminates metagaming, and mirrors the uncertainty of the battlefield. Whether you're stabilizing or slipping closer to death remains unknown—until it matters. These rules are never forced. Players are given a full explanation during Session 0, and consensus is always respected. My goal is to enrich the storytelling and give dramatic moments the weight they deserve without disrupting the core mechanics of 5e.

How Meyrden creates a safe table

Player fun, comfort, and emotional safety are top priorities at my table. TTRPGs are at their best when everyone feels welcomed, heard, and empowered to participate fully. That’s why I incorporate clear and proactive safety tools and discussions as part of our shared storytelling experience. Session 0 Foundations: Before the campaign begins, we hold a dedicated Session 0 to set expectations, establish tone, and collaboratively define boundaries. This session includes an open discussion of character concepts, themes that may arise, and a review of safety tools available to everyone throughout the game. Lines, Veils, and Consent: We will go over Lines (hard limits) and Veils (fade-to-black topics), ensuring the game respects personal boundaries. These are recorded privately and handled with care. I’m also happy to provide or work from a shared safety document if desired. Red Card / Hand Signal Pause System: During gameplay, players may use a hand signal (such as raising a hand or an agreed-upon "red card") to immediately pause the game if something becomes triggering or emotionally uncomfortable. No explanation is ever required in the moment—we’ll take a break and check in. Open Door Policy: Players are always free to step away, take a breather, or opt out of any scene without penalty or pressure. This is your game, too, and your well-being matters more than the narrative. Aftercare and Check-ins: If intense emotional content arises, I’m available after sessions for debriefing, check-ins, or one-on-one support via Discord. I foster a table culture where empathy and respect are more important than keeping the game moving. My ultimate goal is to create a table where players feel safe taking creative risks, expressing themselves, and exploring both dramatic and light-hearted moments without fear of judgment or discomfort. If you ever have feedback or concerns, I will always listen.