The Black Order | Dark Fantasy Crime & Survival (Streamed)

Creating your character

Character creation will be handled collaboratively, with a strong focus on tying each character organically into the world of Vetus and the story of The Black Order. Character creation will take place during Session Zero. This session is used to roll stats together, finalize characters, establish party connections, discuss tone and boundaries, and ensure everyone is aligned on expectations. Players are welcome to arrive with character concepts, but nothing needs to be finalized beforehand. System & Starting Level System: Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Starting Level: Level 3 (characters begin competent and established) Ability Scores Ability scores will be rolled during Session Zero All rolls will be done live at the table If rolls are extremely unbalanced, adjustments may be discussed to ensure party fun and fairness Allowed Sources Official D&D 5e published material is allowed Homebrew content may be considered with GM approval Characters with ties to criminal networks, mercenary work, piracy, slavery, gladiator arenas, or morally gray survival are strongly encouraged Characters must be capable of working with a group and engaging with complex, often uncomfortable choices Campaign Tone & Expectations This is a dark fantasy, character-driven campaign. Characters should: Have personal motivations beyond simple heroism Be willing to make difficult choices with lasting consequences Fit a world where law is inconsistent and power is negotiated, not granted Evil alignments are not required, but nuanced and morally flexible characters fit the campaign best. Lone-wolf or disruptive concepts that cannot cooperate with the party will not be approved. Campaign Length This campaign does not have a fixed number of sessions. The story will continue until it reaches a natural conclusion, typically when the primary threat or BBEG is dealt with in whatever manner the party chooses. Player agency will determine how — and when — the story ends. All final character details will be documented and shared before Session One.

Preparing for the session

To ensure smooth sessions and a great experience for everyone, players should complete the following steps before Session One: Required Accounts & Software A Zoom account (free is fine) for video sessions A working webcam and microphone (cameras are required) A stable internet connection suitable for video calls Character Sheets & Dice Characters will be created and managed using D&D Beyond Players will need a free D&D Beyond account Digital dice via D&D Beyond or physical dice are both acceptable VTT (Maps & Handouts Only) We will use AboveVTT for maps and handouts only Players may need a free account/login to access AboveVTT links (details will be shared in Discord) Combat Presentation Combat will be run using real miniatures and physical terrain on my end and shown over Zoom AboveVTT will be used to support visuals (maps/handouts), while the main combat view will be the live tabletop setup Communication Players must join the Goblets & Warlocks Discord server, which will be used for: Session announcements and reminders Scheduling updates Campaign resources and handouts Between-session communication Before Session Zero Read the full game description and tone expectations Come with 1–2 rough character concepts (no need for full builds) Review any house rules or content warnings shared ahead of time Streaming & Recording Sessions are streamed and recorded for YouTube All players must be comfortable appearing on camera and voice Consent and expectations will be discussed clearly during Session Zero

What Goblets&Warlocks brings to the table

What I Provide as Your GM I run story-first, character-driven games where player choices matter and the world responds logically to what you do. My goal is to create a table that feels immersive, collaborative, and respectful, while still delivering tension, danger, and memorable moments. Immersion & Roleplay Distinct NPC personalities and light character voices (accent and tone over caricature) Ambient music and soundscapes to support mood and pacing A living world that reacts to your decisions, alliances, and failures Space for emotional moments, quiet scenes, and character growth Combat & Gameplay Combat is meaningful and cinematic, not constant or grindy Encounters are designed to feel dangerous and tactical without becoming slow or punishing Physical miniatures and handcrafted terrain are used for combat and shown live over Zoom I reward smart planning, creative thinking, and teamwork Rules & Rulings I primarily follow Rules as Written, but embrace the Rule of Cool when it enhances the story without breaking balance Rulings are made consistently and explained clearly Player creativity is encouraged, especially when it fits the fiction Miniatures & Player Characters Each player may choose an STL file from my personal Loot Studios collection for their character I will 3D print and hand-paint your character miniature for use during the campaign At the end of the campaign, players may choose to have their miniature mailed to them (shipping handled individually if desired) This is a way to make your character feel tangible and truly part of the story. Player Experience & Table Culture Clear communication and respect for player boundaries Safety tools and check-ins for darker themes Collaboration over competition — this is not a “GM vs players” table Punctual, prepared sessions with strong narrative momentum Streaming & Presentation Sessions are streamed and recorded with transparency and consent I prioritize player comfort over performance The goal is to create a game that feels authentic, not staged If you enjoy immersive storytelling, morally complex worlds, cinematic combat, and characters that truly matter, this table is built for you.

Homebrew rules

I use a small set of intentional homebrew rules to enhance tension, immersion, and narrative stakes while keeping the core of D&D 5e intact. All rules are reviewed during Session Zero, and nothing is changed mid-campaign without discussion. Potions & Combat Flow Drinking a potion is a bonus action (Administering a potion to another creature is still an action.) Critical hits deal maximum damage on the dice + a roll (Example: a longsword crit deals 8 + 1d8 + modifiers.) Death & Going Down (Hidden & Dangerous) Death saving throws are rolled by the GM behind the screen Players will not know the results of their death saves This prevents metagaming and reinforces uncertainty and tension Allies won’t know if you are stable or slipping away unless they intervene Getting back up has consequences Each time a character is brought back from 0 HP, they must make a Constitution saving throw On a failure, the character gains 1 level of Exhaustion The DC increases each time the character goes down The DC also scales with character level, making repeated knockdowns increasingly dangerous This system is designed to make falling unconscious feel serious without being arbitrary. Narrative Priority & Recap Roll At the end of each session, all players make an out-of-combat priority roll The player who rolls the lowest: Gives the session recap at the start of the next game Gains DM’s Inspiration (you may only hold 1 at a time) DM’s Inspiration Can be used to reroll the out-of-combat priority roll Represents narrative focus, preparation, and spotlight momentum Encourages engagement without affecting combat balance Rule of Cool & Rulings I generally follow Rules as Written The Rule of Cool is applied when it enhances the story without breaking balance Creative play, smart tactics, and teamwork are rewarded Rulings are consistent, explained, and open to respectful discussion These rules exist to heighten tension, reward engagement, and make survival—and choice—matter.

How Goblets&Warlocks creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort are a priority at my table, especially in a campaign that explores darker themes. While The Black Order deals with crime, exploitation, and moral compromise, these topics are handled responsibly, collaboratively, and with clear boundaries. Session Zero & Boundaries During Session Zero, we will review tone, themes, and expectations together Players will be provided with a Lines & Veils document prior to or during Session Zero Lines (hard limits) and Veils (fade-to-black topics) will be respected without question Players may update their boundaries at any time during the campaign Private Safety Communication All safety concerns are handled via direct message to the GM This avoids anyone feeling called out or put on the spot Players may message me: During a session Between sessions Before or after a scene No explanation is required when raising a concern Scenes will be paused, redirected, or faded out immediately as needed, without drawing attention to the reason. Check-Ins & Aftercare I perform check-ins during and after intense scenes After particularly heavy sessions, I allow time for aftercare and decompression Players are encouraged to speak up privately if something feels off—before, during, or after play Table Culture This is a collaborative, respectful table Harassment, discrimination, or boundary-pushing will not be tolerated Dark themes exist in the story—not at the expense of the players Streaming Considerations Because sessions are streamed and recorded, extra care is taken to: Avoid lingering on graphic or exploitative content Use fade-to-black where appropriate Prioritize player comfort over performance or spectacle A dark story only works when everyone at the table feels safe telling it.