Brighthorn Academy: Shadows of the Star [Daggerheart Levels 1-5]

Brighthorn Academy: Shadows of the Star [Daggerheart Levels 1-5]

A fading Star. Corrupt leadership. Choose your Ward at Brighthorn Academy and uncover the dark secrets threatening the future of the kingdom.

TYPE

Campaign

LEVELS

1–4

EXPERIENCE

Open to all

AGE

18+
4 NEEDED TO START
$20.00

/ Session

Details

Weekly / Wednesday - 1:00 AM UTC

Session Duration / 2.5–3.5 hours

Campaign Length / 15–20 Sessions

0 / 6 Seats Filled

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About the adventure

Welcome to Shadows of the Star: The campaign set within Brighthorn Academy, widely recognized as the shining beacon of excellence and professionalism in the Kingdom. Brighthorn is, "The place to be," a prestigious institution where only the most talented young adults and seasoned professionals earn their spot. The primary draw is the absolute guarantee that graduating here means becoming an elite leader in the realm. Beneath this impeccable, public surface, however, is a ruthless and unforgiving reality. This is a cutthroat, conniving political arena where reputation is everything, and administrators use the school's stellar status to conceal their dark, Kingdom-threatening corruption. Students, faculty, and alumni would rather use you as a stepping stone than open a door for you. The Star above the academy is fading. A symptom of the rot that the elite work desperately to conceal from the outside world. As a character driven by high ambition, you will choose one of five powerful Factions (Wards). Your journey will involve maintaining a public face of brilliance and loyalty while navigating moral compromises, backroom power plays, and the desperate search for the truth behind the dimming Star. The danger is hidden but lethal; this is a deadlier game where failure means social ruin or worse. Your choices will determine whether you expose the corrupt leadership or become another pawn consumed by the Academy's shadows.

Game style

Roleplay Heavy

Meet the Game Master

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Knows the Rules

About me

Hi there! I’m Richard Cameron, a veteran Game Master and Executive Director of Role Player, a North Carolina nonprofit that uses tabletop storytelling to build community and creativity. I’ve been running games for over a decade across multiple systems, focusing on immersive stories, memorable characters, and player-driven choices that make every table feel alive. I have been telling stories and writing narratives for even longer. I graduated with a degree in English with focuses in Journalism (I was the editor-in-chief for my college newspaper) and Creative Writing. Telling stories and crafting narratives are something I find important. I specialize in creating games that balance narrative depth and approachable fun. Whether it’s introducing new players to the magic of roleplaying or giving veterans a fresh challenge. My tables are inclusive, collaborative, and flexible to player comfort and tone. Expect laughter, emotion, and a story that responds to your decisions in real time. I regularly run and teach: Daggerheart Pathfinder 2E Starfinder 2E Avatar Legends and (when requested) D&D 5E If you’re looking for a session that feels more like shared storytelling than a scripted quest, I’d love to have you at my table. Whether you’re here for a one-shot or a long-term campaign, adventure awaits; wherever there’s a table.

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Character creation

Creating your character

We’ll build characters together in our first session. You’ll choose your Ancestry and Class, then join one of the five Wards of Brighthorn. Character creation is collaborative and happens in Session 1 using official Daggerheart rules. You are expected to play a young adult to established professional; a character driven by ambition to master their field/rise above their station. This could be a top student in their final years to a fresh-faced and naive first-year, an ambitious post-graduate researcher, or a junior faculty member, etc. You will choose a Faction (Ward) and we will craft complex backstories and rivalries woven into Brighthorn Academy's political structure. No prior Daggerheart experience is required.

What to expect

Preparing for the session

You will receive links to everything once you join. But you will want to: -Make a Discord account to join the game server. -Ensure access to Foundry VTT. -Check your microphone and stable internet connection. -Read the introductory Ward handout (provided) of the custom Daggerheart Frame explanation with Wards.

What Richard D Cameron III brings to the table

-Beginner-friendly guidance through all rules and mechanics. -Clear pacing and narrative hooks that reward exploration, curiosity, and creativity. -A story where choices matter, from small academic decisions to major plot events. -Maps, Handouts, and a short printout to help explain the setting before session 1 (which will be a session 0).

Homebrew rules

We will be following Daggerheart Rules, but to a custom frame set in a political intrigue/academia setting with competitive Wards.

Equipment needed to play

Internet

Computer

Microphone

Safety

How Richard D Cameron III creates a safe table

Session 0 will give us a chance to really meet, talk about what we are comfortable with, and how we want to proceed as a group. -There will be a Google Form to fill to allow you to make your Lines and Veils so that I can compile them and make the perfect game for you. -We will have an Open Door policy. -Private message me through Foundry for any X cards. Through all of this, you will help shape the game in Daggerheart fashion. And we will set the boundaries and update as needed!

Content warnings

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions