The Ashen Sentence - (Gestalt Campaign)

Creating your character

Character Creation We’ll build characters together in a free Session Zero (before Session 1). Everyone starts at Level 5, already branded and deployed, with a short “how you got sentenced” intro we’ll write as a group. Allowed content: you can use any official 5e material. Anything outside official 5e requires my approval first so the power curve stays consistent. Core rules we’re using Gestalt: you advance in two classes at the same time. You choose a Main Class that stays with you long-term, and a Secondary Class that adds its features alongside it. In this campaign, your Main Class stays the same even when you die, but your Secondary Class changes with each resurrection (your body and abilities shift, your identity stays). Mana: instead of spell slots, you have a Mana Point pool you spend to cast spells and fuel certain abilities. It’s flexible, tactical, and built for players who like resource management and big turns. Extra options I provide Custom Theros subclasses for each class (so everyone can feel mythic and setting-tied). An additional Healer class adapted into 5e as an optional pick, since I like giving more build options. Stats (how we roll) Roll 4d6, reroll 1s, and keep the best 3 for each stat. After you finish all six stats, you may do one full stat reroll (re-roll that stat’s 4d6 set), but you must keep the new result. How we’ll actually build We’ll use my custom Google Sheets character sheets and I’ll share the rules documents for Gestalt, Mana, and the campaign tweaks. You’ll show up with a character concept: your crime, your reason for surviving, and what kind of “tool” the gods think you are. Then we lock in your Main Class, pick your starting Secondary Class, and tie you into the modified Theros Piety system.

Preparing for the session

Player Prep (before Session 1) Join the Discord server (required) This is our main hub for communication: scheduling, questions, session links, and between-session planning. Make sure your mic works and you can reliably talk (push-to-talk or noise suppression recommended). Set up D&D Beyond (required) You’ll use D&D Beyond for your character sheet and combat tracking. Create/sign into your account and confirm you can open your sheet on desktop (mobile as backup is great). Use the resources in the Discord server All docs, rules, custom options, and tools/templates I provide will be posted and kept updated in the server for easy access. Come to Session Zero with 3 quick choices Your character’s crime (what got you branded). Your Main Class idea (this stays through deaths). One sentence on why they keep fighting: freedom, revenge, redemption, or survival.

What Dominic brings to the table

I run a combat-forward, mythic war game with plenty of story in between, but the action is the main course. Expect tactical fights with clear objectives (hold the pass, stop the ritual, escort the target, survive the push), and then the quieter scenes where you deal with the fallout, make choices, and figure out what you’re willing to do as the gods’ tools. I’ll do voices when it fits, and I usually have ambient music going to help big moments land, especially in combat. I’ll also keep the table side of things clean: maps/tokens, clear positioning, and I’ll push the pace so combat doesn’t drag. Rules-wise, I’m a mix of Rules as Written and Rule of Cool. Most of the time we’ll use the rules so things stay consistent and fair, but if you try something smart or cinematic that makes sense in the moment, I’m open to it. If we hit a weird edge case, I’ll make a quick call so we keep moving, then we can tighten it up after the session. Also, I like making custom stuff. You’ll see homebrew Theros subclasses, setting tweaks, and the occasional creature I’ve built or adapted whether that’s something inspired by older editions of dnd or a Theros monster from Magic: the Gathering that didn’t make it into the book. I’ll keep those additions clear and organized so they feel like extra toys, not extra confusion.

Homebrew rules

House Rules and Campaign Tweaks Here are the main homebrew rules we’ll be using (these have been in my home game for years, so they’re pretty smooth at the table): Crunchy Crits When you crit, it’s going to feel like a crit. We use crunchy crits (crits hit harder than normal rules and tend to spike damage in a satisfying way). Healing Potions in Combat First potion you drink in a combat: you can drink it as a bonus action . After that: If you use an action to drink a potion, you get maximum healing. If you use a bonus action to drink, you roll the healing. Gestalt and Mana Gestalt: you level in two classes at once. Your Main Class stays your whole character’s life, while your Secondary Class changes each time you die. Mana: we use a Mana Point pool instead of spell slots for casting and other resource spends. (is the spell point system with some tweaked costs) Rangers get some Extra Love Rangers always get to feel like rangers. At character creation, choose one: Animal Companion, or Extra bonuses to Favored Foe Beast Master: focuses on buffing the companion. Drakewarden: gets a similar setup, with only slight changes to match the drake flavor. Theros Piety (Modified) We’re using Piety, but with changes to: how you earn it, and what you can spend it on (You’ll get the full breakdown in the Discord docs so it’s easy to track.) All rules, write-ups, and quick references will be pinned/posted in the Discord so you don’t have to hunt for anything.

How Dominic creates a safe table

Player comfort matters to me, so I build in a few simple safety checks. Before a session, I’ll give a quick heads-up if anything potentially triggering might come up (nothing super detailed, just enough to prepare). After every session, I’ll do a short check-in/debrief so people can flag anything that didn’t sit right or anything they’d like handled differently going forward. During play, I’ll also send a message to everyone with red and yellow reactions. If something is getting uncomfortable, you can click yellow to mean “ease up / steer away,” or red to mean “stop this and change direction.” No explanations required in the moment, we’ll just adjust and keep the game safe and fun. Also, I’ve got ADHD, so we’ll take breaks. They help me stay sharp and keep the game running smoothly, and they’re a good chance for everyone to grab water, stretch, and reset.