Cosmere - Nightwatch

Creating your character

This is an ongoing campaign, so new characters will be created after you are accepted into the game. I will work with you individually to build a character that fits both the story and the existing party. New main characters will start at the same level as the current player characters so they can immediately participate in the ongoing narrative. Players may also create one or more optional Level 1 side characters. These characters may be used when the main party is operating in different regions or when the story shifts to parallel events elsewhere in Roshar. Parshendi PCs are currently available as options, though they may require some mechanical conversion with the GM to ensure they fit the campaign’s tone, lore, and mechanical expectations. All characters will be created collaboratively with the GM to ensure they integrate smoothly into the ongoing story.

Preparing for the session

Players are not required to read The Stormlight Archive, though familiarity with the setting can be helpful. Before joining the campaign, players should: Have a working microphone and stable internet connection Be able to use Roll20 and Discord Be prepared for a collaborative storytelling environment set in a canon universe of the Cosmere Be comfortable engaging with mature themes in a respectful way New players will meet with the GM and possibly current players before joining the full Discord so we can discuss character ideas, campaign tone, and expectations, and get a feel for what players are looking for and if they will be a good fit.

What Branden brings to the table

I run character-driven campaigns in living worlds, where the actions of players have meaningful and lasting consequences. My goal is to create a story where player decisions shape the future of the setting rather than simply moving through a predetermined plot. The story will follow along in the background of the books, but there will be potential departure points where the story may go wildly off track based on player actions. Some things may not be changeable, other things might. (No, you cannot just find and stab Moash to death, you do not know who Moash is, you have no connection to Moash) Players can expect a mix of roleplay, exploration, and some combat, with a strong emphasis on character motivations, conflicts within the various secret organizations of Roshar, and the political realities of the world. Combat can be intense and tactical when the situation calls for it, but not every problem must be solved with violence. I may use ambient music and sound to help establish tone and atmosphere, and I enjoy using character voices and mannerisms when portraying NPCs to help bring the world to life. I also aim to keep the table collaborative and welcoming. Player ideas are encouraged, character backstories matter, and the story will evolve based on the choices the group makes. I can and will assist players in getting appropriate visuals for characters, as Cosmere can have unique requirements for certain nationalities. Ultimately, my goal is to provide a game that feels like a shared epic story, where each character has a chance to grow, struggle, and leave their mark on the world.

Homebrew rules

This campaign uses a modified system inspired by elements of Daggerheart, particularly its rolling mechanics and spotlight initiative system. Rolling Players roll two d10s, one Honor Die and one Hatred Die. Both dice are totaled and added to all modifiers to determine success or failure. If the Honor Die is higher, Honor Prevails: the player gains 1 Honor (max 6 per player). If the Hatred Die is higher, Hatred Rises: the GM gains 1 Hatred (max 12). If both dice are equal and not 1, Opportunities Flourish: The Player gets a free Opportunity. If both dice are ones, Complications Grow: The GM may assess a Complication. The GM does not roll Honor or Hatred dice and resolves actions using a standard d20 roll. Using Honor Seize the Moment – 1 Honor: When you have the spotlight in combat, gain a third action for the turn. Help an Ally – 1 Honor (pre-roll) / 2 Honor (post-roll): Add a d6 advantage die to an ally’s roll if you can reasonably assist them. Utilize Experience or Expertise – 1 Honor (pre-roll) / 2 Honor (post-roll): Add the listed bonus from an experience or expertise to your roll if relevant Second Wind – 3 Honor: Roll your recovery die to regain health or focus as a free action. Tag Team Roll – 3 Honor (once per session): Two players combine efforts. Both roll and choose the best result. Appeal to the Stormfather - All Available Honor Make a plea to the Stormfather for assistance Initiative (Spotlight System) When the players control the Spotlight, they collectively decide who acts. Players may still use a fixed initiative if they so wish. It is rolled at the start of the game and does not change, and is only mandatory in PVP situations (which will not be discussed here) If on a player's turn in the spotlight, they fail a roll or roll Hatred Rises, the spotlight will shift to the GM at the end of the current turn. The GM may then spotlight one enemy to take a turn before the spotlight returns to the players. If a player takes an action that requires no Action roll (such as Brace, Move, Recover, etc), the spotlight remains with the players. Even if multiple failures or Hatred triggers occur during a turn, the GM only receives one enemy turn before the spotlight returns to the players. The GM may spend Hatred to seize the spotlight at any time or to introduce complications and obstacles. Gaining Honor Players may gain Honor during a short or long rest by performing any religious observance tied to Honor and/or Cultivation. If the action is done alone, they gain 1 Honor If one or more additional players participate, each gains 2 Honor Players may also gain Honor through meaningful in-character actions, while reckless or destructive actions may generate Hatred. Honor is tracked per player rather than per character. Additional details about these homebrew mechanics, such as PVP, can be discussed during the application and onboarding process.

How Branden creates a safe table

Discussions about player comfort and boundaries take place during the interview process and again as new players join the table. We maintain an open-door policy and encourage players to communicate concerns. I am available to speak with players before, during, or after sessions when needed. This campaign deals with mature themes including war, cultural conflict, generational trauma, personal trauma, and difficult moral choices. Players should be comfortable engaging with these themes in a collaborative and respectful environment. Roshar is a complex world with several setting-specific forms of prejudice, most notably class divisions and cultural traditions within Vorin societies. Cultural distinctions in Roshar are largely fictional and setting-specific. Nationalities are primarily cultural differences rather than racial conflicts, though political tensions and historical conflicts between nations certainly exist. Real-world racism or racial prejudices are NOT a part of Roshar. Any such behavior toward players or characters is NOT Roshar and will NOT be tolerated at the table. The campaign will focus on Alethi culture, where social status is divided between lighteyes and darkeyes, determined by the brightness of one's iris pigmentation. Lighteyes generally occupy noble or ruling positions, while darkeyes form the working classes. This class system plays a major role in Alethi politics and society. The society is also rather feudal, with the right to move not always granted to all levels of darkeyes. In Vorin cultures, such as the Alethi culture, gender roles are strongly defined. Reading and writing are traditionally considered women's duties, and men are generally expected to remain illiterate. Individuals, such as a man who reads or a woman who enjoys spicy men's food, may challenge or reject these expectations, with varying levels of acceptance within society. The Alethi also practice slavery, typically as punishment for crimes and disproportionately affecting lower-ranked darkeyes. Parshmen slavery also exists, which is based on species differences between humans and the Parsh peoples. The magic system of Roshar includes healing, which can restore even severe injuries such as lost limbs. However, healing interacts with a character’s spiritual self-perception. Because of this, whether an injury heals or remains is ultimately a player choice. A player may choose for their character to retain an injury or disability even if magical healing is available, while other characters may fully recover from similar injuries. Both choices are valid, and each player has autonomy over how their character's healing functions. Ultimately, our goal is to tell a powerful story together while maintaining the feel of Roshar and The Stormlight Archive. We seek to do this by fostering a respectful and communicative environment where players feel comfortable engaging with both the setting and each other.