Aerth & Power (first 3 sessions free)

Creating your character

## 🎭 Character Creation Process for Aerth & Power To ensure the cohesion and dark tone of this unique campaign, character creation will be structured as follows: ### 1. **Timing & Session 0** Character creation will **not** happen during the first official session. We will hold a mandatory **Session 0** beforehand. This session is critical for: * Establishing party motivations and inter-character bonds (ensuring a cohesive evil party). * Discussing the dark themes and setting safety boundaries (Lines & Veils). * Reviewing and finalizing all player characters. ### 2. **Alignment & Concept** * **Required Alignment:** Characters must be of an **Evil Alignment** (Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic Evil). * **Concept Vetting:** Your concept must support the theme of "Villainy with Purpose." Self-destructive or "edge-lord" concepts that betray the party or halt the narrative will be vetoed. Characters must be driven by deep ambition, power, or corruption. ### 3. **Character Creation Details** * **Starting Level:** All characters will begin at **Level 1**. * **Ability Scores:** Stats will be decided by **rolling dice 4d6, dropping the lowest result (4d6 drop 1)**, for six totals. **This rolling will be done collectively during Session 0 to ensure transparency.** * **Creation Tool:** Characters must be built using **D&D Beyond**. I will share a campaign link that provides access to all necessary content. ### 4. **Allowed Content (Books & Sources)** To maintain the specific tone and setting of **Aerth & Power**, we are limiting character options strictly to **Standard Classes and Races**. * **Allowed Sources:** Only the core races and classes found in the **Player's Handbook (PHB)** are permitted for this campaign. * **Disallowed Sources:** To keep the focus grounded and consistent with the setting, please **do not** use content from supplementary books (e.g., *Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Monster Manual, etc.*) unless explicitly approved by the DM for a specific background element. ### **Next Steps:** Once you register your interest, I will contact you to discuss your character concept and alignment goals. Please come to Session 0 with a strong, ambitious concept ready for discussion!

Preparing for the session

## ✅ Player Preparation Checklist (Before Session 0) To ensure a seamless and technically ready start to the **Aerth & Power** campaign, please complete the following technical steps before attending Session 0: ### 1. Account Setup & Tools * **Discord Account:** Ensure you have an active Discord account. You will receive the server invite link upon acceptance for voice communication. * **D&D Beyond Account:** You must have a free D&D Beyond account ready for character creation and VTT integration. ### 2. VTT Setup (Crucial for Tabletop) * **AboveVTT Extension:** You **must** download and install the **AboveVTT browser extension** (available for Chrome and Firefox). This extension is necessary to use the VTT effectively to display map and combat information directly from D&D Beyond. * **Device Note:** AboveVTT relies on the browser extension and **only works on desktop or laptop computers, not mobile devices.** ### 3. Equipment Check * **Headset and Microphone (Recommended):** A working headset and microphone are highly recommended for clear, immersive communication during voice chat on Discord. * **Webcam (Optional):** A webcam is not mandatory but is welcomed if you wish to use video during the sessions. ### **Summary of Necessary Actions:** 1. Create/activate accounts for **Discord** and **D&D Beyond**. 2. Install the **AboveVTT extension** on your computer. 3. Ensure your **microphone/headset** is ready for use. Completing this list guarantees you are fully prepared for Session 0 and the ambitious path ahead on Aerth!

What Dead_One brings to the table

## 🎲 What I Will Provide to the Players As the Game Master for **Aerth & Power**, my priority is to facilitate a deep, morally complex, and highly narrative experience where your characters' thirst for power drives the story. Here is what you can expect from my GM style: ### 1. **Focus: Roleplay Over Roll-Play** The core of this campaign is **Roleplay (RP)**—intrigue, negotiation, betrayal, and high-stakes character decisions. **I prefer Role Play over Roll Play.** Creative, compelling roleplay that advances your character's ambitious goals will often be rewarded with mechanical advantages (like Advantage on rolls) or narrative success, as I prioritize character action over pure dice luck. ### 2. **Technical & Creative Assets** You can rely on me to provide a rich, visually enhanced environment suitable for an epic saga of darkness: * **VTT Access:** Full access to the **D&D Beyond campaign** and the **AboveVTT extension** integration for visual tabletop scenes and combat tracking. * **Visuals & Immersion:** I use **AI Image Generation** tools to create high-quality, custom visual assets—including maps, tokens, and dark handouts—to immerse you fully in the oppressive world of Aerth. * **Music and Ambiance:** I utilize **ambient music and sound effects** sparingly, focusing on setting the grim, political, or tense mood of a scene (e.g., the sound of a marketplace, or ominous music during a dark ritual). ### 3. **GM Style and Rules Philosophy** * **Character Voices:** I focus on descriptive narration and clear, distinctive dialogue for NPCs, rather than performing specific character voices. * **Rules & Flow:** I adhere to the **Rule of Cool and Common Sense** over strict Rules as Written (RAW). I maintain a **rules-light approach**, making quick rulings to keep the narrative flowing. * **Rules Discussions:** To keep the game moving, any major rules questions or debates will be **tabled until after the session or discussed privately** in a dedicated Discord channel. The Friday night session time is reserved solely for playing the game. In summary, expect an environment that rewards cunning ambition, prioritizes character development, and provides a visually polished space for your weekly saga of villainy.

Homebrew rules

## 🛠️ Homebrew Rules & Rules Philosophy The campaign in **Aerth & Power** primarily uses the **Rules as Written (RAW)** from the Player's Handbook (PHB) for consistency. However, given the focus on narrative and the themes of ambition and chaos in Aerth, we operate under the following rules philosophy: ### Rules Philosophy * **Common Sense Override:** If a rule, strictly interpreted by RAW, actively conflicts with common sense, narrative logic, or threatens to halt the flow of the story, we will collectively agree on a ruling that prioritizes the logic of the situation and the narrative integrity. * **Narrative Advantage:** As this is a **Role Play over Roll Play** game, strong roleplaying that informs your character's actions will often grant mechanical advantage (e.g., Advantage on a skill check) rather than modifying the core rules themselves. * **Evolving Ruleset:** **Aerth is a dynamic and chaotic world.** The ruleset is not strictly static. As the forces of power and corruption change the reality of the realm, a few minor rules may be adapted or added (with full player notice and agreement) to keep the gameplay consistent with the emerging narrative. ### Rules Discussion Policy * **Rule Discussions:** All major discussions about rules modifications or specific rulings will be **tabled for an out-of-session vote or discussion.** The goal is to keep the game night focused entirely on the action and story. **In summary, expect RAW by default, but be ready for collaborative, narrative-driven rule adjustments where common sense is always the final arbiter.**

How Dead_One creates a safe table

## 🛡️ Player Safety and Comfort Protocol (Revised) Given the mature and potentially dark themes of **Aerth & Power**, maintaining a safe, respectful, and comfortable environment is my top priority. We will utilize the following structured tools and practices: ### 1. **Session 0: Foundational Safety** * **Lines and Veils:** We will discuss **Lines and Veils** collectively during Session 0. Lines are topics that we agree never to include (e.g., specific phobias, certain acts of violence). Veils are topics that may occur but will fade to black or be handled indirectly. A private digital document will be shared for **confidential, individual submission** prior to Session 0 to establish personal boundaries for the dark themes we will explore. * **Open Door Policy:** I maintain an **Open Door Policy**. Any player is welcome to discuss concerns, discomforts, or private safety needs with me one-on-one at any time (via private Discord message), without judgment. ### 2. **During-Game Safety Tools** * **X, N, & O Cards (Optional):** The group will **discuss and vote in Session 0** on whether to utilize the **X, N, and O Cards** via **private direct message on Discord**. This allows for instant, silent communication if needed: * **X:** Stop the current scene immediately and change topic. * **N:** Nudge the scene in a different direction or tone. * **O:** Consent to continue (used if a scene is sensitive but the player is okay with it proceeding). * **Breaks:** Regular scheduled **breaks** will be taken every **90 to 120 minutes** to ensure physical and mental comfort. Players are always welcome to call for an unscheduled break via private message if needed. ### 3. **Aftercare and Feedback** * **Debriefing:** Following every session, we will have a brief **debriefing** period. This is essential to check in, disconnect from the dark roleplay, and ensure everyone is feeling okay before signing off. * **Stars and Wishes:** Periodically, we will use **Stars and Wishes**. This tool allows for constructive, positive feedback (Stars) and suggestions for improvement (Wishes). Feedback can be given privately or as a group. These tools are in place to ensure we can explore the high-stakes world and themes of ambition and corruption in **Aerth & Power** safely and enthusiastically.