Claim a Citadel and Defeat an Ancient Dragon. Age of Ashes 1-20!

Creating your character

When & How: Characters will be created before Session 1. I’ll provide support for anyone new to Pathfinder 2e — whether that means walking you through the rules, helping you with choices, or reviewing builds to make sure they fit the campaign’s tone. If you’d like, we can also schedule a short Session 0 (30–60 min) to make characters together as a group and establish party bonds. Level & Stats: We’ll begin at Level 1. Ability scores use the standard Pathfinder 2e method (Ancestry, Background, and Class boosts, plus optional free boosts). Hit Points are max at first level. Gold and gear will be according to the Pathfinder 2e rules. Allowed Sources: All official Pathfinder 2e content is welcome (Core Rulebook, Advanced Player’s Guide, Guns & Gears, Secrets of Magic, etc.). Uncommon and Rare options may be allowed with GM approval if they fit the story. (For example, a Hellknight archetype would make sense in this campaign; a very niche or out-of-setting option might not.) Third-party content is not used for this campaign. Tone & Party Building: This is a cooperative, long-term story, so characters should have a reason to work with others. They don’t have to be best friends, but avoid creating a “lone wolf” who refuses to join the party. Backgrounds tied to Breachill (the frontier town where the adventure begins) are especially welcome, as it helps ground your character in the setting. Please read the Age of Ashes Player's Guide available for free at https://paizo.com/products/btq02e1h?Pathfinder-Adventure-Path-Age-of-Ashes-Players-Guide for more information on background and setting! Player Support: If you’re new to Pathfinder 2e, don’t worry! I’m happy to guide you through character creation and explain rules as we go. If you’re experienced, feel free to bring your favorite build ideas. Either way, we’ll make sure your character has room to grow into the epic journey ahead.

Preparing for the session

Players will need to have a Discord account for voice communication and general out-of-game communication. You'll also need internet access and a browser capable of running FoundryVTT. Character creation through Pathbuilder is encouraged, but not required.

What Michael Stanford brings to the table

🎲 What I Provide as Your GM Reliability and Consistency: As a professional GM, I show up prepared and on time every session. You can expect reliable scheduling, clear communication, and consistent pacing. This campaign is long-term, and I want you to feel confident that we’ll see it through together. I want you to feel immersed, supported, and excited for the next adventure. My job is to give you the tools, the challenges, and the world, and then let you be the heroes who shape it. A Fully Prepared Campaign: Age of Ashes is a complete Pathfinder 2e campaign, and I’ll bring the prep to make it sing. Maps, NPCs, lore, combat encounters, and exploration are all ready to go, so we can focus on playing instead of flipping through rulebooks. I’ll handle rules adjudication, pacing, and scene framing so the story flows smoothly from one session to the next. A Living World: NPCs remember your choices. Towns react to your actions. Factions scheme and move in the background. You’ll never feel like you’re in a static dungeon - you’ll feel like your characters are part of a breathing, changing world. Voices and Roleplay: I use character voices. I'm not a voice actor and you don't need to be either. Whether you’re a heavy roleplayer or prefer staying in character lightly, I’ll meet you where you are. My goal is to give each PC their chance to shine and to weave your backstories into the broader campaign. Fun tactical combat: Battles will be intense and challenging, designed to reward smart teamwork rather than punishing mistakes. I run combat with maps, tokens, and all the tactical tools the system offers, but I balance it with roleplay and exploration so the game (hopefully) never feels like a grind. Atmosphere and Tools: I use ambient music, sound effects, and visuals (maps, handouts, artwork) to make the experience feel more alive. I like the drama that music provides, or a nice foreboding silence. Rules Approach: I know Pathfinder 2e’s rules well and run the game Rules-as-Written as a foundation, because it keeps things fair and consistent. But I also believe in the Rule of Cool. If you come up with a creative idea that isn’t explicitly covered, I’ll do my best to make it work, because this is your story too. Safety and Inclusivity: I provide a welcoming, inclusive space. I use safety tools to ensure that everyone at the table is comfortable. This is a cooperative story where everyone gets a voice, and my priority is that you feel safe exploring epic challenges together.

Homebrew rules

You'll get to use the Free Archetype rule to jazz up your characters a bit. Characters that have a backstory tied to information from the Age of Ashes Player's Guide get 10gp extra to start out with. Other than that, I'll discuss potential house rules with the group to see what we all like and find comfortable together. I'm open to ideas!

How Michael Stanford creates a safe table

First of all, I don't do "sex" storylines. I don't feel comfortable roleplaying flirty or provocative characters with other adults. I'm here to have fun and goof around, so I'll avoid all of that as a matter of course. We'll discuss your comfort levels and what safety tools you feel are the most useful for you during Session 0. 🧭 Session 0 Topics In Session 0 we’ll: - Go over the campaign’s themes (dragons, conspiracies, exploration, heroics). - Set clear expectations for tone (epic, adventurous, not grimdark horror). - Establish group norms (no PvP unless agreed, spotlight sharing, respectful communication). - Identify any topics to avoid (e.g. phobias, graphic content). 🤝 Aftercare If anything ever bothers you during or after a session, you can reach out privately. I’ll check in at the end of each session with a quick “thumbs up/thumbs down” vibe check. If something uncomfortable happened, we’ll address it calmly between sessions. My goal is for every player to leave the table feeling good about the experience. 🏳️‍🌈 Inclusive Space All players are welcome. I actively foster an environment where everyone can participate fully regardless of background, identity, or experience level. New players will be guided and supported, and experienced players are encouraged to help lift others up.