Vecna: Eve of Ruin Your Secrets Shape the Ritual free session 0

Creating your character

Characters begin at Level 10. Creation may begin before Session 0, but final approval and refinement will happen together so everything fits the tone and mechanics of the campaign. Ability Scores: Standard Array Hit Points: Maximum for levels 1–3, then rolled for levels 4–10 during Session 0. Feats: Allowed. Each character receives 1 bonus feat at level 10 after I receive your completed backstory, character sheet, and secrets. Multiclassing is allowed. Players may use any playable race and class from either the 2014 or 2024 rulesets, but all choices (race, class, spells, and features) must come from the same ruleset for consistency. Official content is welcome. Third-party material may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Starting Equipment This is a mythic-tier campaign. Your characters are already accomplished heroes. Each character begins with: 1 Legendary item Plus either: 2 magic items of Rare or lower OR 2 Very Rare items and 1 Rare (or lower) Final approval occurs during Session 0 to maintain balance and narrative cohesion. We will not be tracking gold. As established level 10 adventurers, you are assumed to have appropriate wealth, supplies, and mundane resources. The Secrets System (Core to This Campaign) Each character will create: 1 Major Secret 2 Minor Secrets These are not cosmetic. They directly influence Vecna’s ritual and the fate of the multiverse. We will workshop these together during Session 0 to ensure they are powerful, balanced, and meaningfully tied to your character’s history. Backstory Requirements Every character must include: Where they are from What they are currently doing in Neverwinter At least one meaningful person tied to their past Space for hidden truths or unresolved history After Session 0, if the group collaboratively develops a compelling backstory explaining how they know each other, I will include a surprise reward within the campaign. Alignment of any kind is welcome, but your character must have a clear reason to work with a party and engage with the story.

Preparing for the session

Before Session 0, please ensure you have: Technical Setup A Discord account for voice chat and communication A working microphone and stable internet connection A desktop or laptop capable of running a browser-based VTT (Mobile devices are not recommended.) After joining, you will receive a Discord invite and all necessary campaign links. Character Preparation Characters begin at Level 10 (Standard Array). You may use any platform or method to create your character, but you must provide a complete character sheet prior to Session 0. Hit points for levels 4–10 will be rolled together during Session 0. Magic items will be finalized at that time. Please also come prepared with: A developed backstory Ideas for your required secrets (Details for character creation, magic items, and the Secrets system are outlined above.)

What Justin brings to the table

This is a dark, tension-driven campaign built around secrets, consequence, and mythic-scale stakes. The ritual shaping the multiverse is active, and the world reacts to your choices. Chaos is welcome at the table—sometimes brilliant plans fall apart, sometimes reckless ideas become legend—but the story always moves forward. We play using Owlbear Rodeo with dynamic vision enabled. Your token only sees what your character sees. Positioning, awareness, and information matter. Combat is cinematic and intentional. When facing trained or intelligent enemies, expect tactical opposition—they will fight intelligently and with purpose. When facing creatures of chaos or instinct, the battlefield may feel unpredictable. Either way, combat is designed to feel dramatic while remaining mechanically clear and organized. I balance Rules as Written with flexible rulings. If you can clearly describe how and why something should work, I’m open to it. Creativity is rewarded, but consistency and fairness remain the foundation. Roleplay is central to this campaign. There is deep lore to explore, and your backstory—especially your secrets—directly influences the ritual at the heart of the story. However, the balance between combat and roleplay naturally adjusts to the group’s play style. Character death is possible, but not automatic. I respect player comfort levels and will discuss expectations during Session 0. Even when death is off the table, consequences are not. Tension remains real. High-level play can be complex, but this campaign is built to handle it. Villains are intelligent, prepared, and dangerous. I provide structure, pacing, and clear house rules (shared during Session 0) to keep gameplay smooth and engaging. Expect voices, accents, dramatic pacing, and a table that takes the story seriously—while still allowing space for the kind of chaos that makes D&D unforgettable.

Homebrew rules

1. Character Creation All characters use the Standard Array for ability scores. 2. Critical Hits On a critical hit, deal maximum damage on the first damage die, then roll the damage die a second time and add it. 3. Healing Potions Full Action: restores maximum healing. Bonus Action: roll for healing. 4. Spell Scrolls (Creation & Use) Any spellcaster may create a spell scroll if they know or have prepared the spell, have all material components, and use expensive paper and magical ink. Creation time is 1 hour plus 1 hour per spell level. Components are consumed on completion. Any character may use a spell scroll with one action by reading it aloud. No spell slot or additional components are required. 5. Overcasting (Casting Beyond Limits) You may cast spells above your normal level or without spell slots. Roll 1d20 plus your spellcasting modifier vs DC 10 + spell level. On failure, the spell is 50% effective and you gain 1 level of Exhaustion per point failed by. 6. Heroic Death At 0 HP, you may forego death saves to gain up to 3 rounds of a final stand: double movement, advantage on all attack rolls, and all hits count as critical hits. Afterward, death is final. 7. DM Inspiration DM Inspiration allows you to add 1d12 to a roll after seeing the result but before the outcome is declared. 8. Bardic Inspiration Bardic Inspiration may be used on attack rolls, ability checks, saving throws, and damage rolls.

How Justin creates a safe table

Lines & Veils Lines will never appear. Veils fade to black. Discussed in Session 0. X-Card Type X in chat, DM X privately, or say Pause. Open Door Policy Anyone may step away or leave at any time. Post-Game Check-Ins Stars & Wishes after each session. Private Messages You may message the DM at any time.