Shattered Lands Campaign (Watchers)

Creating your character

Character creation will take place collaboratively during Session 0 with the GM and the rest of the party. Players are welcome to come in with character ideas or concepts, but all characters must fit within the campaign’s setting and themes. For narrative context, player characters are recruited into an organization known as The Watchers—a group tasked with keeping the world in balance and containing the world-shattering dangers posed by magic. All characters will be created and managed using D&D Beyond, which we also use for rolls, inventory management, and in-game play elements such as maps. Further character creation details (including starting level and any additional guidelines) will be finalized and reviewed during Session 0 to ensure everyone begins on equal footing.

Preparing for the session

To get ready for the game, players will need the following: 1. D&D Beyond Account We use D&D Beyond for character creation, inventory management, dice rolls, and our virtual tabletop experience. 2. Discord Account Discord is our central hub for the campaign. It’s used for: Voice chat during sessions Ongoing communication between games Session recaps, announcements, and scheduling 3. LegendKeeper Access LegendKeeper is used as a shared world hub, featuring campaign lore, interactive maps, faction information, and in-game shops. Access will be provided once you’ve joined the campaign. No additional downloads are required beyond a modern web browser and a microphone for voice play. All tools and setup steps will be reviewed during Session 0, and help is always available—no prior experience with these platforms is required.

What Josiah Smith brings to the table

As your GM, I focus on delivering an immersive, polished, and player-driven experience that balances strong narrative, meaningful choices, and engaging mechanics. - High-Quality Maps & Visuals Sessions use a mix of carefully selected published maps, original maps created in Inkarnate, and occasional commissioned maps to ensure encounters and locations feel distinct and memorable. - Immersive Atmosphere Ambient music is used throughout play to enhance exploration, combat, and roleplay moments, helping set tone without overpowering table conversation. - Thoughtful GM Style I emphasize cinematic storytelling, clear stakes, and player agency. Combat is tactical when it matters, but always serves the story. I aim for a balance between Rules as Written and Rule of Cool, prioritizing fun, fairness, and consistency. - Player-Focused Play Character choices matter, the world reacts, and player actions can have lasting consequences beyond a single session. Overall, you can expect a game that is well-prepared, immersive, and respectful of your time—whether you’re here for deep roleplay, tense combat, or collaborative storytelling.

Homebrew rules

This campaign uses a small number of focused homebrew rules designed to deepen immersion, encourage roleplay, and support long-term character growth. - Gritty Realism Rest Variant We use the Gritty Realism rest rules to support a grounded, dangerous world where time, travel, and preparation matter. This creates meaningful choices and adds weight to combat and recovery without removing heroic moments. - Roleplay & Engagement Rewards Two custom systems are used to reward player creativity and investment: 1. Archival Merits – Earned by creating session recaps written from your character’s perspective. These help reinforce shared world memory and contribute to in-game advancement. 2. Inspiration Merits – Earned through impactful roleplay, strong character-driven decisions, and creative problem-solving during play. - Long-Term Power Growth Systems In addition to standard character progression, the campaign includes two narrative-driven advancement mechanics: 1. Light Shards – Rare sources of power tied to the world’s lore, allowing characters to grow in unique ways. 2. Artifact Forging – A long-term system where characters can shape, enhance, and define a personal artifact over the course of the campaign. All homebrew systems are explained clearly during Session 0, and none are required to enjoy the game—each is designed to enhance the story, not complicate play.

How Josiah Smith creates a safe table

An open door policy is always in effect. Players are free to step away, take a break, or discontinue play at any time. If a player needs to leave during a session, refunds may be issued at GM discretion. Any concerns, feedback, or issues can be addressed privately at any time through direct messages on Discord.