The Veil of a Thousand Lanterns (Free Sesson 0 + Ses. 1)

Creating your character

Character creation for The Veil of a Thousand Lanterns will be a collaborative process, with most of the mechanical work done before Session 1, and final touches, bonds, and introductions handled together at the table during the opening session. Starting Level & Concept ~ Characters begin at Level 3, already competent and recognized in their roles. ~ Each character should have a personal connection to the spiritual world: a shrine, a village, a festival, a family curse, a sworn oath, or a past encounter with a yokai or kami. ~ Your character does not need to be heroic—but they must have a reason to care when the lanterns begin to go out. Ability Scores ~ Ability scores are determined using Point Buy or Standard Array (player choice). Optional: With group consensus, a shared rolled array may be used to keep party balance intact. Allowed Material ~ Core books: Player’s Handbook, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. ~ All custom subclasses, stances, and finishing move mechanics created for this campaign are allowed and encouraged. (These will be provided at the time of sign-up via D&D Beyond). ~ No Unearthed Arcana or third-party content unless approved by me (the DM). ~ Races can be reflavored or provided to fit the setting (humans, spirit-touched, oni-blooded, foxfolk, etc.). Mechanical stats can remain unchanged. Equipment & Flavor ~ Starting equipment comes from your class as normal, reflavored to fit the setting (katanas, naginata, talismans, ritual tools). ~ Magic items are rare early on; spiritual trinkets, charms, and heirlooms may appear as story rewards. Where Characters Are Made ~ Characters will be created using D&D Beyond. ~ Backstories should be 1–2 pages max or a short bullet list focusing on relationships, beliefs, and unresolved ties. This campaign rewards character depth, emotional investment, and mythic flavor more than optimization. Build someone you want to see tested by fate, faith, and steel.

Preparing for the session

You will need at least a basic D&D Beyond account (you will not need to purchase anything, as I have resources available for character creation on D&D Beyond that will be shared via the campaign) and Discord account to join my paid session server. Remember, as per StartPlaying guidelines, you MUST have an active StartPlaying account, register, and pay through the StartPlaying platform to be allowed to participate in the campaign. I will NOT be accepting any under the table payments or alternate forms of payment outside of the StartPlaying platform. A Discord Server Invite link will be sent to you upon confirmation of your payment. Remember, payments are PER SESSION, which means you will not be allowed to participate in the session if you have not made your payment. If you fail to pay for more than 3 sessions, your character will be killed off and your spot opened up for other players.

What Sean brings to the table

I run games that are deeply atmospheric, emotionally immersive, and character-centered. This is not your average casual dungeon crawl, this is a cinematic, japanese epic where your choices matter and your characters evolve in profound ways. Performance & Presentation ~ Character voices: Yes — I attempt to give every major NPC a distinct voice, tone, and manner of speech. I will endeavor to create an immersive and dynamic atmosphere. ~ Ambient sound & music: Absolutely. I use curated playlists to enhance tension, wonder, dread, or tenderness. (Provided Spotify chooses to cooperate with Discord). ~ Narrative immersion: I describe the world vividly, using sensory details to pull you directly into the mists. I use a combination of my own dialogue and descriptions provided by the main campaign source, so be prepared to take notes. My goal is for my world to feel alive, expansive, beautiful, and terrifying in equal measure. Combat in my games is: 1. tactical (terrain matters, clever choices matter) 2. deadly (this is ancient mythic Japan, after all) 3. fast-moving (no slogging through endless rounds) 4. dynamic (environmental hazards, moving parts, lair actions, lighting, positioning) Expect boss fights with mythic stages, unique enemy abilities, and mechanics tied to the story. especially the gods, demons, and a possible Demon Lord. But combat is never just numbers. It means something...emotionally, thematically, and narratively. So remember, a sword is not always the answer. The Rule of Cool vs RAW My balance looks like this: ~ Rule of Cool: Always favored when it enhances story, emotion, or heroism. ~ RAW: Used for fairness and clarity. ~ Rulings over rules: If something isn’t covered, I’ll make a quick, consistent ruling and keep the story flowing (any conflict or questions should be directed to me via DM during session or privately after session). If you want to: ~ flip over a table to gain cover ~ pray for divine intervention in a moment of despair ~ grapple a demon mid-flight ~ or burn a spell slot for a thematic miracle I encourage it~! Roleplay Focus This campaign lives on outside of session: ~ Out of session Play by Post can, and will be encouraged. My avaliablilty is limited during these times. ~ emotional stakes ~relationship dynamics ~ moral dilemmas ~ psychological horror ~ moments of hope in a hopeless land I reward players who lean in: ~ Talking to NPCs ~ Wrestling with their past ~ Making bold choices ~ Taking risks to help others ~ Reflecting on visions, dreams, and omens Your character’s inner journey is just as important as defeating your foes.

Homebrew rules

1. The Rule of Cool…with Consequences If you try something spectacular, leaping off a chandelier, seducing a dragon, flipping a table to block an arrow, I’ll almost always allow it. But if the dice betray you? The consequences will be gloriously dramatic. 2. Nat 20s & Nat 1s Are Narrative Events Nat 20: You don’t just succeed, you shine. You leave a mark on the scene. You impress someone you didn’t mean to. You gain a whisper of advantage in the future. Nat 1: Catastrophic, humorous, or horrifying. A story beat is born, and you will feel it in the deepest recesses of your soul. 3. Heroic Mortality Death saves work as written…but death itself? Not cheap. Not meaningless. And not necessarily final unless the story demands it. If you die, you matter in the world that follows. 4. Inspiration Is Delicious: Earn It Dramatically You get Inspiration for: ~ Good roleplay ~ Clever ideas ~ Making me laugh ~ Making me feel things I swear I do not feel ~ Leaning into flaws, bonds, and chaos with commitment Stacking Inspiration? No. But you can trade an unused Inspiration at level-up for a permanent +1 in any skill-related check once per session. Yes I know...I spoil you. 5. Potions: Bonus Action Drinking a potion yourself? Bonus action. Feeding a potion to an ally? Bonus Action. Spilling a potion dramatically on the floor in defiance? Free action, but I will stare at you and judge you silently... 6. The Cinematic Finale Rule If the fight is nearly over and someone attempts an epic finishing move, the dice DC may soften…but the description must be chef’s-kiss perfection. Failing results in something hilarious, embarrassing, or delightfully inconvenient. Or death...depending on how much I like you. 7. Downtime Is Storytime Downtime (Play by Post) activities can: ~ Unlock boons ~ Build relationships ~ Earn renown ~ Change the world around you ~ If you flirt with an NPC during downtime, the DC for any check that follows goes down by 2. (Consider it a perk.) 8. Leveling: Milestone With Style You level up when the story crescendos. Or you find certain items that will not be named... But if you do something extraordinary...sacrifice, brilliance, poetry, chaos, I may grant a you a Favor, which counts toward your next milestone. 9. Secrets Are Currency If you tell me a secret about your character, one your party doesn't know yet, I will give you a small mechanical boon. And later… I will use that secret deliciously in the narrative. (Though whether for you or against you remains within my discretion...) 10. You Can Always Try Even if the rules don’t explicitly allow it, even if it’s ridiculous, even if it’s dangerous, you can always try. Convince me. Roll for it. Tempt fate...and accept the consequences...

How Sean creates a safe table

Creating an enjoyable, collaborative, and emotionally safe environment is one of my highest priorities as a Game Master. The worlds we explore may be dark, dangerous, or intense, but the table itself must always feel respectful, supportive, and welcoming. To ensure that, I use multiple safety tools before, during, and after each session. 1. Session 0: Establishing Boundaries & Expectations Before the campaign starts, we will hold a free/full Session 0 to: ~ Introduce characters, concepts, and motivations ~ Review party dynamics, tone, and intended themes ~ Discuss the Line & Veils document and what content is allowed, limited, or off-limits ~ Establish communication norms and player expectations ~ Review house rules, leveling method, and game style ~ Confirm comfort levels with violence, horror, intimacy, moral ambiguity, and psychological themes ~ Address any accessibility needs or accommodations This session ensures that everyone understands the game’s tone and feels empowered to shape it. 2. Lines & Veils Document ~ I provide a digital Lines & Veils document (Google form) for each campaign. ~ Lines are hard limits that will not appear in the game under any circumstances. ~ Veils are elements that can exist but will fade to black or be referenced indirectly. ~ Preferences allow players to note content they actively enjoy or want more of. This form is confidential, only I will see individual responses, though the compiled safety profile will guide the whole campaign’s boundaries. 3. Player Check-ins I do brief check-ins: ~ Before each session (“Anything you want me to be aware of?”) ~ After intense scenes (“Everyone okay to continue?”) ~ After every session (“How did that feel? Anything you want changed?”) These conversations are short and optional but incredibly helpful for maintaining comfort and trust. 4. Aftercare After each game, especially those featuring heavy emotional material, I offer: ~ A quick debrief ~ Space to process character actions separately from player feelings ~ Opportunities to clarify misunderstandings or discomfort ~ Re-affirmation of boundaries, especially if new ones arose ~ Players are encouraged to message me privately if they want a more extended conversation about any emotional impact. Table Values & Conduct All players agree to: ~ Show respect to one another ~ Avoid discriminatory or harmful behavior ~ Practice consent-based roleplay ~ Speak up if something feels off ~ Support a collaborative storytelling environment ~ Any form of harassment, bigotry, or personal attacks is never tolerated.