“Riftwalkers: Exodus — A Tetara Campaign

Creating your character

Starting Level Incentives Players can begin the campaign at Level 1, 2, or 3, depending on experience or risk preference. To reward those who start at a lower level during the fall of West Watch, the following incentives apply: Level 1 – “The Survivors” (High Risk, High Reward) Level 1 characters start at the most dangerous point of the campaign and earn one tier higher gear (clothing, weapon, and armor) after surviving the fall of West Watch, plus one unique item from the list below. Choose One: Cloak of Protection – Offers a small but valuable defensive bonus (+1 AC and saving throws). Periapt of Wound Closure – Keeps you alive longer; auto-stabilizes and boosts natural healing. Boots of Elvenkind – Grants silent movement and improves survival and stealth in the mists. Driftglobe – Portable magical light source—essential for the fog. (These items symbolize enduring the Rift’s first strike and emerging with something truly useful.) Level 2 – “The Steady Few” (Moderate Risk, Practical Reward) Level 2 characters also receive one tier higher in gear after surviving West Watch, plus one practical tool from the list below: Choose One: Goggles of Night – Grants darkvision for navigating the shadows. Ring of Water Walking – Helps cross flooded terrain and swamp regions. Wand of Secrets – Reveals hidden doors and traps—perfect for ruin exploration. Eversmoking Bottle – Creates cover or distraction in tense encounters. (Level 2 characters are already seasoned, so their rewards focus on practicality rather than power.) Level 3 – “The Veterans” Level 3 characters start with standard gear and no additional equipment upgrades. Your experience and early advantage reflect your survival edge.

Preparing for the session

Preparation Before the campaign begins, please complete the following steps to ensure everything runs smoothly: Join the Campaign Discord – All communication, announcements, and scheduling will take place there. You’ll find channels for character creation, lore references, and questions about the world of Tetara. Create Your Character on D&D Beyond – All characters must be built and stored on D&D Beyond for integration. Use Point Buy for ability scores. Set your character sheet to Public for Foundry (Forge VTT) access. Install the D&D Beyond 20 browser extension to link your sheet directly to Foundry. Set Up Your Forge VTT Account – Sessions are hosted through The Forge (Foundry VTT). You’ll need a free Forge account to access the game table. A direct campaign link will be provided after joining the Discord. Check Your Audio Setup – A working microphone and stable internet connection are required for clear communication during sessions. Review the Player Bible – A full reference document will be provided, including details on current races, gods, factions, and homebrew systems unique to Tetara. Please look it over before finalizing your character concept. Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be ready to enter Ethros, witness the fall of West Watch, and begin your survival

What Dm/Gm Travis brings to the table

What I Provide Players can expect a well-structured and immersive experience built around world consistency, survival gameplay, and meaningful decision-making. The campaign runs on Foundry VTT (Forge) with dynamic lighting, ambient music, and environmental sound design to heighten immersion. I use a mix of paid Patreon battlemaps and custom maps I design myself, ensuring every location—from the walls of West Watch to the mist-covered roads of Ethros—feels detailed and alive. AI-assisted tools are also used responsibly to enhance the experience, including visuals for NPC portraits, character art, and regional maps that reflect the tone of Tetara. These assets help set the mood and bring the world’s atmosphere to life. My GM style balances narrative depth with tactical combat. Encounters are designed to challenge without overwhelming, and every fight serves a purpose in the story. I follow Rules as Written for fairness and clarity, but I’m flexible with the Rule of Cool when creativity fits the tone and flow of the session. You can expect: A survival-focused adventure where resource management, strategy, and leadership matter. A grounded tone with room for character growth and meaningful choices. Occasional NPC voices, ambient soundscapes, and adaptive music for immersion. Access to a Player Bible outlining the lore of Tetara—its races, gods, factions, and homebrew features—to guide character creation. Everything is built to immerse you in the fall of Ethros, the rise of the Rift, and the desperate journey that follows.

Homebrew rules

Homebrew Rules This campaign uses several world-specific systems to reflect the tone, survival elements, and infrastructure of Tetara. These adjustments keep gameplay consistent and immersive within the setting of Riftwalkers: Exodus. Archnodes & Keystones – Long-distance spells such as Sending or Teleportation do not function naturally across most of Tetara. Each kingdom maintains vast Archnodes—structures that act as both magical powerlines and defensive networks. They stabilize magic, protect territory, and enable controlled communication between regions. To transmit messages or travel magically, a caster must possess a regional Keystone, which links them into that kingdom’s network. Without it, long-range spells fail to connect. Potions – Drinking a potion does not cost an action. This allows players to maintain combat flow and focus on tactical decision-making. Critical Hits / Natural 20s – A critical hit or natural 20 doubles the total damage rolled, keeping criticals exciting and impactful without slowing down play. Rest System Adjustments – Short rests require relative safety or downtime; long rests are not guaranteed in unstable regions. The Rift, wilderness zones, and unsafe encampments may prevent full recovery until proper shelter is secured. Survival Tracking – Supplies such as food, water, ammunition, and morale are tracked as part of caravan management. Group decisions directly affect the safety and stability of everyone under your care. AI & Map Design – AI-assisted art is used for NPCs, environments, and visual storytelling, alongside paid Patreon battlemaps and custom maps I design for Foundry. These elements enhance immersion without affecting game balance. These homebrew elements are core to Tetara’s identity—where infrastructure and survival define the limits of magic and civilization itself.

How Dm/Gm Travis creates a safe table

Content Warnings Riftwalkers: Exodus explores mature and dark survival themes set within the collapsing frontier of Tetara. The story emphasizes realism, consequence, and moral tension. All sensitive material is handled with care, and safety tools will be discussed during Session 0 to ensure player comfort. The following content may appear in this campaign: Death – Including player and NPC deaths central to the story’s tone. Character Death & Sacrifice – The campaign’s survival focus means death is a real possibility. Suicide Themes – May occur indirectly through starvation, depression, or loss of hope. Child Death – Rare but possible, often through environmental storytelling or aftermath scenes. Blood & Alcohol Use – Present in descriptions of injuries, taverns, and post-battle recovery. Drowning – Certain encounters or travel events may include drowning hazards or water-based dangers. Memory Erasure & Psychological Trauma – Exposure to the Rift can alter memory or identity. Mass Death – Widespread loss due to the Rift’s expansion, including towns and populations. Racial Profiling / Discrimination – Explored within world context between species (e.g., Tieflings, Elves, Humans) as part of Tetara’s political landscape. “Superior Race” Ideologies – Reflected in faction beliefs and historical conflict, never endorsed, only presented as part of the setting’s realism. These elements exist to create a grounded and emotionally resonant survival narrative—not for shock value. Players may discuss boundaries privately or during Session 0, and adjustments will always be made to maintain comfort and respect for everyone at the table.