The Turning of the Year: Changeling 20 years [Play by Post]

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The Turning of the Year: Changeling 20 years [Play by Post]

As the year turns, the Dreaming shifts with it. Live four seasons of Glamour, loss, passion, and survival—before Winter decides what is forgotten.

TYPE

Campaign

SYSTEM

Changeling: The Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition

LANGUAGE

English

EXPERIENCE

Open to all

AGE

18+
1 NEEDED TO START
$20.00

/ Session

Details

Weekly / Friday - 11:00 PM UTC

Session Duration / 2–4 hours

Campaign Length / 28–31 Sessions

2 / 6 Seats Filled

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This game will begin once 3 players have joined

Meet your party members

2/6

About the adventure

The world is still full of wonder… but it is fragile.The Turning of the Year is a play-by-post Changeling: the Dreaming campaign built around the eternal cycle of the four seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each season is a full narrative act, shaping not only the world and the Dreaming, but also the hearts, choices, and identities of the changelings who live through it. Glamour waxes and wanes, hope rises and fades, and nothing remains unchanged when the year completes its turn. The story is set in a modern urban environment where a single Freehold stands at the crossroads of mortal Banality and fae wonder. As the seasons advance, the Freehold transforms: blooming with possibility in Spring, burning with passion and conflict in Summer, fading into regret and consequence in Autumn, and finally enduring scarcity, silence, and sacrifice in Winter. Political tensions, personal dreams, Shadow Court interference, and mortal pressures all intertwine, with each season bringing new threats—and new truths. This game is ideal for players who enjoy character-driven, emotional storytelling. Play-by-post allows space for inner monologues, symbolic dreams, quiet scenes, and long-term consequences. Conflict exists, but it is rarely just about violence; social pressure, broken oaths, temptation, Banality, and the risk of Bedlam are ever-present. Choices matter, memories can be lost, and survival sometimes means letting go. The Turning of the Year is for players who want to explore what it means to hold onto wonder in a world that constantly erodes it. Expect a melancholic but hopeful tone, strong thematic focus, and a collaborative story where legacy matters more than victory. When Winter comes, the question will not be whether you win—but what part of you endures into the next Spring.

Game style

Rule of Cool (RoC)

Theater of the Mind

Roleplay Heavy

Meet the Game Master
Streamer
Published Writer
Cosplayer
Teacher/Educator
Game Designer
Multi-lingual

3 years on StartPlaying

11 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Inclusive

Average response time: 9 hours

Response rate: 100%

About me

GM War here — storyteller, teacher, and lifelong world-builder. I’ve been running RPGs since 2004, bringing cinematic narratives, deep roleplay, and meaningful choices to every table. As a teacher, I believe every session is a space to explore imagination, empathy, and creativity — whether through epic live sessions or calm, thoughtful Play-by-Text adventures. My goal is simple: to make players feel like they’re living inside a movie, where every dialogue and decision matters. I run games primarily in English and focus on D&D 5e, Daggerheart, and City of Mist. If you’re looking for an immersive story, steady pacing, and a GM who listens, adapts, and helps you shine — welcome to my table. 🎲 Let’s craft stories worth remembering.

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Character creation

Creating your character

📅 When Character Creation Happens - Character creation will be completed before the first in-character post. - A short Session Zero (text-based) will be used to align expectations, establish connections between characters and clarify themes, Lines & Veils, and tone. Individual follow-ups may happen privately to refine concepts. 🧙 Starting Character Power Level - Characters begin as standard starting changelings. - Attributes, Abilities, Arts, and Realms are assigned using standard C20 creation rules. - Willpower, Glamour, and Banality start at standard values. 📚 Allowed & Restricted Sources Allowed: - Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition Core Rulebook - Kiths, Seemings, and Houses from C20 Restricted / By Approval Only: - Thallain (not playable) - Extremely rare or setting-breaking options 🌱 Concept & Theme Expectations Players should create characters that: - Have dreams worth protecting - Fit at least one seasonal emotional arc (growth, passion, loss, endurance) ❓ You are encouraged to think about: ❓ What does your character fear losing? ❓ What season do they feel most connected to—and why? ❓ What part of their dream might not survive Winter? 🔗 Party & Story Integration - Characters will have pre-existing ties (shared Freehold, past oaths, rivalries, or dreams). - At least one connection to another PC; The Freehold; A mortal or location that matters *Characters will be created using: * PDF sheets * Google Docs * StartPlaying character tools (if applicable) * Final sheets must be shared with the Storyteller before play begins. --- 🎭 Play-by-Post Considerations - Characters should support introspective play. - Inner monologues, dream sequences, and symbolic choices are encouraged. - Build characters who can evolve and potentially be changed by the passage of time.

What to expect

Preparing for the session

🧭 Required Accounts & Access * Create or have an active Discord account * Join the private 'War Room| TTRPG' Discord server provided after signing up 📚 Reading & Familiarization * Read the Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition core rules (character creation sections at minimum) * Review the campaign’s themes, tone, and content boundaries (Lines & Veils) * Read the PbP posting guidelines and expectations shared on Discord 🧙 Character Preparation * Create a character using C20 standard rules * Prepare a short character concept (1–2 paragraphs) * Define at least One personal dream; One fear or source of Banality; One tie to another PC, NPC, or the Freehold; *Share your character sheet for Storyteller approval 📝 Technical Setup * Be comfortable posting in-character prose and short OOC clarifications * No VTT or voice software is required * Optional: use Google Docs or PDFs for character sheets ⏳ Time & Commitment * Be ready to post consistently (frequency expectations will be clearly stated) * Notify the group in advance if you expect absences Completing these steps ensures everyone starts on the same page and helps maintain the tone, pacing, and emotional continuity of the story from the very first scene.

What War_Master brings to the table

As your Storyteller, I focus on atmosphere, emotional continuity, and player-driven narrative. *The Turning of the Year* is not about winning fights, but about what your character becomes as time passes and the world changes around them. My role is to create a living Dreaming, respond honestly to your choices, and protect the tone and themes we agree on. --- ### 🎭 Narrative & Roleplay Style * Strong emphasis on **character-focused storytelling** * Frequent use of **descriptive prose, symbolism, and dream logic** * NPCs with clear motivations, flaws, and emotional presence * I adapt the story to player decisions rather than forcing a fixed plot I do not perform voice acting in PbP, but I convey distinct NPC “voices” through writing style, cadence, and point of view. --- ### 🎵 Atmosphere & Immersion * Curated music playlists and visual references shared in Discord * Seasonal tone shifts reflected in narration and pacing * Dream sequences, letters, memories, and inner monologues are welcome and encouraged ⚔️ Conflict & Mechanics * Combat is rare and meaningful, never filler * Social conflict, oaths, temptation, and Banality are treated as serious threats * Rules are followed as Written, with flexibility when narrative stakes are clear * I openly communicate mechanical risks (Bedlam, Banality, oath-breaking) before they land ❄️ Consequences & Safety * Choices have lasting consequences, including permanent change * Character loss or retreat into Banality is possible, but never arbitrary * Clear **Lines & Veils**, regular check-ins, and consent-based play are standard 📜 What I Provide * A fully developed seasonal campaign framework * A persistent Freehold with evolving politics and threats * Custom NPCs, locations, and story hooks * Clear posting expectations and consistent GM presence * Transparent rulings and open communication I believe Changeling is a game about fragile hope in an uncaring world. I embrace moments of beauty, melancholy, and quiet heroism. The story belongs to the table, and my goal is to ensure every character leaves a meaningful mark on the year—whether they bloom, burn, fade, or endure. If you are looking for a thoughtful, emotionally rich, roleplay-heavy Changeling experience, this game is built for you.

Equipment needed to play

Internet

Computer or Mobile Device

Safety

How War_Master creates a safe table

Before the campaign begins, I host a Session 0 to discuss expectations, tone, and personal boundaries. During this session, we review a Lines and Veils document (shared digitally) so players can set clear limits on what content is off-limits or fade-to-black. I use X, N, and O cards digitally — players can message me privately or use simple text indicators in chat at any time. All concerns are addressed immediately and respectfully, no questions asked. After major narrative moments, I check in through private messages or group posts for aftercare, making sure everyone feels comfortable and supported with where the story is going. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and respectful space where players can explore heavy themes with trust and creativity — knowing that the real world’s comfort always comes before the game world’s tension.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions