The Witherwild: The Eye That Was Taken

Creating your character

We will have a brief Session 0 (no cost), which will include information about character creation. But if you want to start early, here are the details: System: Daggerheart Starting character level: 1 Alignment/Vibe: Party-cooperative. Please make your character on Heart of Daggers (link provided in preparation details) Sources: Official Daggerheart content. ⸻ Quick Setting Tie-In: You come from a land caught between too much life and not enough time. The region of Fanewick was once dangerous but balanced, shaped by the watchful gaze of an ancient forest deity. When the nation of Haven invaded and stole the Reaping Eye to save itself from a deadly plague, that balance shattered. The land was forced into endless spring, and the forest began to grow wild and violent. You are not legendary heroes ... at least, not yet. You are people who have lived with the consequences. As you create your character, consider: • Were you raised in Fanewick, learning how to survive among living forests, spirits, and beasts? • Did you grow up in Haven, protected by stone walls and order, but haunted by the cost of that safety? • Or are you someone caught between the two—displaced, conflicted, or carrying loyalty to more than one side? You may have lost a home, a loved one, or a belief you once held dearly. You may carry guilt, anger, hope, or determination. Whatever brought you here, the choices you make now will help decide the fate of the land. This story isn’t about finding a perfect solution. It’s about deciding what you’re willing to sacrifice—and what you refuse to give up. In addition, answer the following: 1. What’s your character’s story? (Full on backstory would be great, but at least a few sentences! The more fleshed out your character is in your mind, the easier it is to answer the below questions and to roleplay) 2. General thoughts on personality + core/defining emotion 3. What would incentivize your character to face the dangers of the Witherwild? 4. Does your character have a short-term goal? What is it? 5. Does your character have a long-term goal? What is it? 6. What would push you to protect your companions when the stakes rise?

Preparing for the session

Before our first session, please take these steps so everything runs smoothly: 1. Heart of Daggers: You’ll need a Heart of Daggers account (free). 2. Virtual Tabletop: We will use Owlbear Rodeo (when we use maps). 3. Voice & Video: We will use Discord for voice and video (free account). Please sign up with Discord if you haven't and test your mic and camera before the game. 4. Tech Check: Make sure your internet connection is stable and that you’re in a quiet spot where you can play comfortably. Headphones recommended. 5. Bring Your Curiosity: This is a game of adventure, secrets, and roleplay. The more you interact with other characters and NPCs, the richer the experience will be!

What The Fresch GM brings to the table

When you join my table, you can expect an experience that blends immersive storytelling, atmospheric detail, and player-driven action. • Expect a focus on roleplay, character arcs, and choices that shape the story. • I use a range of character voices to bring NPCs to life • Ambient background music and soundscapes set the tone. • I run rules tight enough for fairness, but I’m happy to bend things for Rule of Cool moments if it makes the scene more epic and is roleplay consistent. • Safety tools are always on the table. If something makes you uncomfortable, you can pause or redirect at any time. • I encourage collaboration, creativity, and spotlight-sharing so everyone gets a chance to shine.

How The Fresch GM creates a safe table

Your safety and enjoyment at the table are my top priorities. Everyone should feel comfortable while immersed in the story. X/N/O Cards: We’ll use the X/N/O card system throughout the session. X = Stop immediately (content is unsafe/unwanted). We will stop and change course/rewind, making sure that everyone is comfortable and feels safe. N = The story is heading in a direction where one feels uncomfortable and may use an X card. This allows us to change direction or fade to black before crossing that line. O = “Okay” — check-in that everyone is comfortable continuing. You can signal these by message, holding up a card, or even a subtle gesture if you prefer discretion. Luxton Technique If something comes up during play that feels uncomfortable or triggering, you’ll always have the option to pause and talk it through with the group. With the Luxton Technique, you get full control over how we handle that moment. You can tell us what you need, whether that’s a change in how a scene plays out, a shift in direction for the story, or even just taking a short break. Once you’ve shared, we’ll adjust and continue in a way that accommodates your request. Lines and Veils: I will provide a lines and veils questionnaire so that players can anonymously indicate any hard lines (content we will not engage in) and any veils (content that can be mentioned but not described). This will then be distributed to the group to ensure everyone is on the same page about how to handle sensitive content. While the story includes danger and emotional stakes, the game avoids graphic or exploitative content. Player comfort and consent are always prioritized.