Quas - A Raft Afloat & World Beneath

Creating your character

A portfolio of pre-generated characters is available from which to choose. These pre-generated characters are favourably-created & suit the campaign world specifically. If players wish to create their own characters, they may do so in advance of their first session. Please keep in mind, your character grew up in the Raft City of Orphus, and has rarely or never set foot on land or had contact with any species aside from Gnoll pirates and some undersea civilizations (Selkie traders, Sahuaghin & Kuo-Toa raiders). Farming is primarily sea-based (kelp, sea cucumbers, etc.). While food/equipment are seen as communal, they are in extreme scarcity, so much of it will be "old" in appearance/use. Coins/money is not widely-circulated, as barter/services are generally used to exchange between Raft Cities & Selkie traders. Subject to GM approval, players can create their own 1st-level character using D&D 5th Edition (2024) PHB. Use of Sam Grierson's "Disabilities, Prosthetics, and Guide Animals" addition is permitted ( https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/237767/disabilities-prosthetics-and-guide-animals ). Any other sources required the player to provide a legal copy to the GM for advance approval. Additional character limitations/requirements are as follows: * Species: Human * Ability Score: Point Buy - 27 Points * Class: One of Bard, Druid (excluding Circle of the Land), Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, or Warlock. * Background: Any except Acolyte, Noble, Sage, or Scribe * All characters are illiterate. Languages spoken include the "Orphian" dialect, and depending on background, additional languages may consist of the "Atlan" dialect, Raft-Common, Gnoll, Aquan, Sahuaghin, or Kuo-toa. * A 1-2 page written character background, briefly detailing your character's family & personal history. * As "money" does not exist in standard values, you will have 0 coins remaining after your initial selection.

Preparing for the session

You will require: * Computer/mobile * Computer microphone & camera * Discord account * Join my Discord server --> https://discord.gg/C6grdXE27K * D&D 5th Edition Players Handbook (2024) * A (preferably physical) copy of your character sheet & history * Your own imagination

What Shawn brings to the table

The following resources are provided: * Discord server with dice-rolling bot --> https://discord.gg/C6grdXE27K * A pre-generated selection of characters (see Discord for links), and guidelines for generating your own (above) * Campaign shared documents, including Lines & Veils, campaign world information, session histories, etc. * Attempted, but poorly done character voices * Rule of Cool storytelling with a preference for non-combat solutions * While rare, on occasion, sound effects may be utilized * A quiet, judgement-free area to play online

Homebrew rules

Rolling a natural 20 is an automatic success, rolling a natural 1 is automatic failure. No need for multiple rolls. Rule of Cool: If it makes sense and sounds cool, it's attemptable (regardless of any written rules to the contrary).

How Shawn creates a safe table

Pre-game: Each campaign group will have its own Lines & Veils document, where players can type their "hard line" items they do not want in the campaign and anything they wish to happen off-camera (without description). During: X, N, & O Cards: If a player objects to something, they can hold up an X-card (either typed, messaged, or on-camera), and the game will be paused to deal with the issue through group conversation. The topic will be added to the Lines & Veils document post-session to avoid creating discomfort in future sessions. Session will generally be rewound before the X-card. An N card transitions to a fade-to-black or behind the veil portion, essentially skipping this portion of the RP. An O-card is used when there is a check-in from the GM to determine if everyone is comfortable with the current subject matter. Open Door: If a player is feeling stressed or uncomfortable with the subject matter, but does not wish play to cease, they may depart the Discord room temporarily at any time without judgment from players or GM. It is recommended that they advise the GM to the trigger via DM and add the topic to Lines & Veils so as to avoid/limit the issue moving forward. Post-game: A Stars and Wishes channel will exist for each campaign. Post-session, a prompt will be written by the GM asking players to write their "Star" moment of the session, and what they "Wish" they could see for the next session. A post-session Discord channel will exist for players to discuss the session in further detail. This discussion need-not occur in real-time, but is available for any aftercare players may desire.