Starseeds of Xytherion: Powder, Steel, and Starlight

Creating your character

Character creation will be collaborative and supported, with the goal of making characters that feel grounded in Waterdeep while leaving room to grow into the strangeness of Xytherion. You don’t need to optimize—this campaign rewards personality, choices, and character growth. When it happens: Character concepts can be discussed before the game begins Final characters will be created together during Session 0 New players are very welcome and will be guided step-by-step Starting Level: Characters begin at Level 1, with early advancement handled smoothly through play Stats (Heroic Group Roll): During Session 0, everyone rolls stats together as a group From all rolls made, the single highest stat array becomes the shared array for the whole table Every player uses this same array and may assign the numbers to their abilities however they choose This keeps the party balanced while allowing for heroic, capable characters Allowed Sources: All official Wizards of the Coast 5e books are allowed Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything options (including flexible ability scores) are welcome Homebrew and third-party material are not used unless discussed and approved in advance Races & Classes: Most standard ancestries and classes fit naturally Planar or unusual options (tieflings, gith, warforged, etc.) are welcome with light narrative framing No race or class is banned by default—flavor adjustments are preferred over restrictions Backgrounds & Story: Characters should have a reason to be in or near Waterdeep Backstories don’t need to be long—1–2 strong hooks is perfect Personal goals, rivals, debts, or secrets are encouraged and will be woven into the campaign Where characters are created: D&D Beyond is preferred, though other digital sheets are acceptable Character sheets should be shared with the GM before Session 1 Tone & Expectations: This is a cooperative, character-driven campaign Evil characters are allowed only if they function within the party PvP is not a focus; party cohesion matters This method ensures everyone starts on equal footing with heroic potential, while still letting each character shine in their own way.

Preparing for the session

To ensure smooth sessions, please complete the following steps before Session 1: 1. Join the Discord Server All game communication takes place via Discord Voice chat is required; video is optional You’ll receive a Discord invite after joining the game Please set your Discord nickname to match (or closely resemble) your character name 2. Create Your Character Sheet Characters will be finalized during Session 0 D&D Beyond is preferred for character creation, though other digital sheets are acceptable Be ready to roll stats together as a group during Session 0 using the heroic shared array method 3. Foundry Virtual Tabletop We will be using Foundry VTT, accessed through your web browser No purchase is required for players You’ll receive a game link before the first session—please test that it loads correctly A modern browser (Chrome or Firefox recommended) is strongly advised 4. Audio Setup A working microphone and stable internet connection are required Please test your mic and audio settings in Discord ahead of time 5. Rules Access (Optional) Access to the Player’s Handbook or Basic Rules is helpful but not required New players will be supported as we play 6. Read the Game Info Please read the game hook, description, and character creation guidelines Bring any questions, boundaries, or themes you’d like to discuss to Session 0 7. Come Ready to Play This is a collaborative, character-driven game Be respectful of other players, engage with the world, and have fun

What Pacts & Polyhedrals - Asmo brings to the table

I run character-driven, immersive games that balance freedom with consequence. Player choice matters—there are no invisible rails—and the world responds logically to your actions. I’m less interested in “winning D&D” and more interested in meaningful decisions, clever plans, and characters who feel real within the setting. Roleplay & Immersion: I use character voices when it adds to the moment (accents included, quality may vary 😄), and I lean heavily on atmosphere. Sessions feature ambient music, soundscapes, and visual aids in Foundry to help scenes land emotionally. You’re never required to do voices yourself—engagement matters more than performance. Combat & Challenges: Combat is tactical and purposeful, not constant. Fights are designed to make sense in the world and often include environmental elements, objectives beyond “reduce HP to zero,” and room for creative solutions. Smart play is rewarded, and retreat is sometimes the correct choice. Combat can be dangerous, but it’s never arbitrary. Rules Philosophy: I know the rules well and use them as a strong foundation, but I’m not dogmatic. I lean toward Rules as Intended with a healthy respect for Rule of Cool, especially when a creative idea fits the fiction and doesn’t overshadow other players. If a ruling is unclear, I’ll make a quick call at the table and revisit it later if needed. Tone & Table Culture: The tone balances wonder, tension, and discovery rather than constant grimdark. Dark themes may appear, but this is not an edgy or hostile table. Cooperation, respect, and shared storytelling come first. PvP is not a focus, and spotlight time is shared intentionally. If you enjoy games where choices have weight, the world feels alive, and strange things unfold slowly rather than all at once, this table will be a great fit.

Homebrew rules

Powerful critical - max damage Crit failures - lose your weapon or cause damage to party member or self Potions - feeding ally = 1A - feeding self = 1BA In most circumstances you can make a basic skill check e.g. insight or perception whilst in combat as a free action, but when you multitask you will be penalised with disadvantage or in someother way at the dms discretion Potion Toxicity - if you chug more than 1 potion in an hour roll on the potion toxicity chart Potion Max - no more need to roll those pesky d4 to heal you always heal max Inspiration - inspiration die can stack. You are more likely to gain inspiration when committing to characters personality traits with detrimental consequences or involved role play. Encouraging committing to character Blind death saves - no more knowing who has failed a crucial death save! Tension will be mounting every time the d20 roll occurs when a party member falls unconscious.

How Pacts & Polyhedrals - Asmo creates a safe table

Player Safety & Comfort Your emotional safety and comfort matter just as much as the epic story we're telling. This is a collaborative game where everyone deserves to feel respected, heard, and free to engage at their own pace. 🗣️ Session 0 – Setting the Foundation Before we begin the campaign, we'll have a full Session 0 to: Introduce each other and discuss play styles Go over campaign tone, themes, and expectations Talk through character concepts and how they’ll fit together Set boundaries, cover safety tools, and establish a respectful table culture This ensures we’re all on the same page before the story even starts. ⭐ Stars & Wishes After every few sessions, we’ll do a quick Stars & Wishes check-in: Stars highlight what you enjoyed Wishes are things you’d like to explore more This helps me tailor the game to what excites you and keeps our story evolving in the right direction. 🤝 Aftercare At the end of intense sessions or major narrative moments, we’ll take a minute to decompress together—whether through a cool-down scene, a quick chat, or just space to process. This helps ensure everyone logs off feeling good and grounded. This campaign is about building something powerful together. My goal is to create a space where we all feel safe to take risks, be vulnerable, and tell unforgettable stories. If anything ever comes up, I’ll listen and support you without hesitation. Always.