Thunderhead Bastion - DC20 Fantasy Steampunk One-Shot
Save Unit V-7 'Valius' and the Sky Fleet codes from the scrap-yard pirates of Thunderhead Bastion.
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$20.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Wednesday - 1:30 AM UTC
Mar 11
Session Duration / 2.5–3 hours
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
High above the civilized world lies the *Thunderhead Bastion*, a nightmare fortress of lashed-together ship hulls and stolen parts hidden deep within a perpetual, magical storm. It is a haven for the cruelest sky-pirates in the Aeranosian skies, a place where the Empire’s laws dissolve into rain and lightning. But today, it’s not just a pirate den—it’s a target. Your team is currently clinging to the underbelly of a passing galleon, staring down at the swirling purple clouds, waiting for the signal to drop into the chaos below. Your mission is a "surgical extraction" with zero margin for error. Deep in the fortress's rusting "Chop Shop" lies Unit V-7, known as Valius—an Imperial Cog of immense strategic value. The pirates believe they’ve just captured a heavy-duty laborer to scrap for parts, unaware of the volatile military secrets encoded in his chassis. You have less than an hour before the local chop-doc, a brutal Knock named Griz, fires up his arcanic torch and turns the Empire’s most valuable asset into spare copper wiring. Getting in is the easy part; the real challenge is getting out when the alarm screams, and the pirate fleet scrambles to intercept you. This isn’t just a stealth mission; it’s a race against gravity and gunpowder. Prepare to free-fall through lightning shears, battle through grinding gears, and engage in a desperate dogfight amidst the clouds. The engines are hot, the storm is raging, and the drop zone is approaching fast. It’s time to jump.
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(7)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
1 game hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, World Builder, Storytelling
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
I'll start by saying: I've been gaming a long time and I absolutely love the process of telling a story together. Sometimes silly, sometimes emotional, my games run the gamut. I hope to get the chance to show you. Now the deets: I’ve spent years behind the GM screen, crafting narratives that blend deep strategy with immersive storytelling. My passion lies in complex world-building—specifically, my long-running homebrew setting, Aeranos, where Celtic fantasy meets steampunk aesthetics. I bring a designer's eye to my tables, hand-crafting maps and writing original fiction to deepen the lore. While I have extensive experience with D&D 5e (and a multitude of systems throughout the years), I’m currently enjoying a deep dive into the mechanics of the DC20 system. I’m here to connect with others who appreciate the art of the campaign, from high-level architecture to the nitty-gritty of rule systems, but I like to use the mechanics to set the stage, then get out of the way to let the drama unfold. That's not to say we don't like to joke and laugh around the table, virtual or otherwise. It's more to point out that I love a good tale, and want to play with like-minded gamers.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We won't have a session 0. Have a 2nd Level RAW character ready to go. OR I have a set of premade characters if anyone wants to jump right in.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Have a Discord account and a working mic (camera optional). We will be using Foundry, but you don't have to have anything but the link I send and enough bandwidth.
What Kevin Dawson brings to the table
I bring years of GMing experience, voices, art, maps, and a detailed world. You bring the desire to have a good time and create an engaging story with me. One-shots are guaranteed to have 1-2 combat scenarios and some basic roleplay opportunities. I am fluent with the system, but inevitably, we will need to examine the rules on occasion. If there's too much delay, my ruling is final.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Kevin Dawson creates a safe table
My games will be fully inclusive. The only feuds and arguments should be among the characters and NPCs. Unless agreed to by all, any inter-party conflicts should be avoided (this generally means no evil characters). In 18+ groups, subject matter can get dark, but rarely disturbing and never gratuitous. X-Card rules apply and can be texted or held up on camera. Rewind and Fade to Black is always an option. Concerns not immediately flagged can be communicated privately in Aftercare. My Game Content warnings may seem excessive, but I prefer my villains to be truly villainous. I am more than happy to follow the preferences of the group and shy away from any topics we deem to be off-limits.
Content warnings
Safety tools used