Hope for New Cyre|Eberron Mini-Campaign for Immigrant Justice

Creating your character

Upon signing up for the campaign, players will be given access to a D&D Beyond campaign page by which they will be able to access shared content. We will be rolling for stats. Cheating on rolls, in character creation and beyond, will result in an immediate removal from the campaign and character death in the narrative. Players are welcome to use their preferred online or offline Character Creation toolsets. We will be starting at level 1 and will use D&D 5e (2014 or 2024 Rules). Homebrew is allowed but must be approved before implementation. Character Concepts should be realistic to the starting level of the campaign. That being said, Eberron is a unique setting with its own approach to power progression. While Level 1 characters should feel sufficiently novice, that does not mean they can't have action in their pasts as Level 1 is considered to already be a cut above the rest.

Preparing for the session

In order to play in this campaign you will need: 1) Dice or Dice App 2) Character Sheet (Digital or Physical) 3) Discord 3) Access to a mic (webcams are encouraged but optional) 4) A positive and enthusiastic attitude for play Safety Materials (Recommended): 1) Complete Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist sent as PDF's to the GM via Discord or StartPlaying private message

What DM Wyatt brings to the table

Our main digital toolsets are D&D Beyond for character creation, maps, etc. and Discord for online connection. I use situational ambient music as long as bandwidth allows for all players. I encourage players to identify and share songs, art, and/or mannerisms/accents that reflect their character, but nothing is required besides dice and suspension of disbelief. I do voices for NPC's but there's no pressure at my table to do anything you're not comfortable with. I encourage my players to approach roleplay scenarios in whatever ways feel most natural to them. As a GM, I specialize in the Dungeons and Dragons 5e 2014/Legacy Rules. I am homebrew-friendly but I also claim veto power on any rules extensions that I deem to be detrimental to the game. My favorite setting to GM in is Eberron, and in that setting as well as any others where it is appropriate, I allow firearms as a weapon type. I'm very open-minded in rules adjudication, so if you're thinking of something and I can think of a way to make it work, I will let you make any attempt. On the topic of NPC's, I include a small roster of companion NPC's in campaigns that I intend to last longer than 4 weeks. These companions are crafted in the spirit of BioWare games like "Baldur's Gate," "Dragon Age," and "Mass Effect." They have backstories that intersect with player goals and flesh out parts of the setting that aren't directly involved in the narrative while filling combat and utility roles that may not be covered by the PC's. These companion NPC's are optional features and are not DMPC's. They exist to add to the player experience, not to supplant it. As a GM, I do my best to make combat quick, satisfying, and unintrusive. I invite players who like min/maxing to do so with the knowledge that it is the GM's job to design scenarios that challenge everyone at the table. No character is too powerful to to be killed. In light of that, I encourage all of my players to create characters that they feel are both narratively and mechanically satisfying to play. My games are collaborations, not competitions. Finally, I have a few non-negotiable house rules. First, every campaign starts with a free session zero where the group will discuss rules, characters, digital tools, personal boundaries and how to address when those boundaries are crossed. Second, I allow all characters a free feat at Level 1. Third, PC's do not use the Action/Bonus Action system of D&D 5e. Instead, PC's have three actions with which to do anything their character card allows. Fourth and final, in my campaigns, Short Rests are 8 hours and Long Rests are 1 week. To balance this, there is a supplemental rule that using any amount of Hit Dice on a Short Rest restores all spell slots and class actions. If you are a fan of vanilla 5e, I understand that these rule changes may seem drastic, but my games have never been better than when using these house rules.

Homebrew rules

This campaign uses several intentional house rules designed to increase player agency, tactical depth, and engagement with downtime and exploration. These rules will be explained in detail during Session 0, and reference materials will be provided. 1) Level One Feat Players may select one feat for their character at level 1. 2) Reworked Action Economy I replace the standard distinction between Actions and Bonus Actions with a three–Action Point system inspired by Pathfinder 2e. Each character begins their turn with three actions. Any action normally allowed by your character sheet (attacks, spells, item use, class features, movement, etc.) costs one or more actions, depending on complexity. This allows for greater flexibility and creativity within a turn For example, a carefully aimed attack intended to guarantee critical damage might cost two actions instead of one, enabling high-risk, high-reward plays while keeping the action economy balanced. This system gives players more meaningful choices each round and provides a clear framework for creative rulings. 3) Revised Rest & Downtime This campaign places strong emphasis on downtime, travel, and living in the world. Short Rests require 8 hours but the use of one (1) hit die restores all HP, spell slots, and class resources. Long Rests require at least 24 hours of downtime per hit dice used. This makes Long Rests intentional windows for engaging in crafting, professions, shopping, social roleplay, base-building/management, training, research, and personal projects. Effective use of downtime activities can lead to long-term narrative or mechanical rewards, such as new magic items, feats, or ability score increases. 4) Dodge & Parry To add a more dynamic defensive option, this campaign includes a dodge/parry mechanic inspired by action games. As a reaction to an enemy attack, a player may attempt a Dodge (Dexterity Saving Throw) or Parry (Strength Saving Throw) using the enemy’s attack roll as the Save DC. On a success, the attack is negated and the player may make an opportunity attack. On a failure, the attack resolves normally (using the character's Armor Class to determine if the strike deals damage or not). Additionally, a player may Hold an Action to prepare an extra dodge/parry. This house rule has two simple caveats: first, this mechanic cannot be used against spells or effects that already require saving throws, and second, attacks from Large or larger creatures cannot be parried, only dodged. This system rewards positioning, timing, and tactical awareness without replacing core 5e defenses.

How DM Wyatt creates a safe table

Every session will include at least one break of at least 15 minutes per every 2 hours of play wherein all players are encouraged to hydrate, stretch, perform child care, and/or address any other mid-session personal needs. Beyond this mandatory break, I have an Open Door policy during play, meaning players are excused to step away from the table for any reason without the need for explanation. The game will go on in your absence but there will never be any sort of negative reprisal on you or your character for needing to stepping away. After every session, we'll perform at least 10 minutes of debriefing and aftercare wherein the events of the session will be recapped and players are encouraged to give their theories and feedback, or otherwise share their emotional needs and experiences with the group. During this time, WE LISTEN AND WE DON'T JUDGE. No amount invalidation will be tolerated. Outside of sessions, all players who subscribe to any of my campaigns will be invited to my discord server as Players, where they are free to message me privately to address any issues they feel are negatively impacting their play experiences. This can also be done on StartPlaying as well. These private conversations will be saved for legal security purposes but otherwise are completely confidential. Accusations of sexual harassment and/or discrimination will be taken with the utmost severity, resulting in the removal of the offender from the party and the immediate death of their character in the narrative upon the start of the next session without exception. Refunds will be only be issued in accordance with StartPlaying's guidelines.