Horrors Abound! Try to Survive The Domains of Dread!

Creating your character

Because the setting changes how many class and race features will function as well as the fact that fear and suspicion of outsiders and "others" is a core facet of the system, players are asked to wait until Session 0 to begin building a character. Players will receive all setting specific information needed for character creation during Session 0 so they may make informed decisions and create a character with the knowledge of how class or race decisions may not work the way they expect. While setting specific content has been published for D&D 5e, this content is very different in both tone and lore than what is used in this campaign. While that material might be helpful as an introduction to the setting, please be aware that coming to the setting from 5e will be quite different.

Preparing for the session

Players are required only to have at least one character concept and a good audio connection with microphone. Players are recommended to bring several different character ideas for reasons stated in previous sections, and while video is not required it is not discouraged. For use of the VTT a web browser is needed to access it, but if necessary I will share my screen over Discord to facilitate when there is no other option.

What Hunter brings to the table

Players will be provided access to a Google Drive folder with Pathfinder 1e materials and may use said materials as they wish with myself as the GM having final approval. Adaptations to any of those materials is allowed with prior discussion and approval. When and if it becomes necessary to have a visual aid for combat, etc., I will utilize Owlbear Rodeo for a VTT. Otherwise, everything will be played via Theatre of the Mind over Discord.

Homebrew rules

Detecting Evil/Good does not function in detecting alignment; it instead detects certain creature types and those with any level of Corruption, a mechanic unique to the Domains of Dread. Immunity to Fear only applies to magical effects. Fear is a natural response to dangerous situations and a frequent hazard presented in the Domains, so features and abilities that grant immunity to Fear only grant bonuses to saving throws. Magic is general has setting specific differences in how certain spells and schools of magic take effect. In particular Divination, Necromancy, and Summoning magics have much different effects and consequences which will be detailed in a session 0.

How Hunter creates a safe table

Because of the nature of the content in the campaign, all players applying to this campaign will be provided a link to a google form to report any and all boundaries and triggers so I can adjust the campaign accordingly and take appropriate measures to warn players when content might come adjacent to their stated lines. There will be a Session 0 prior to the beginning of the campaign that all prospective players need to attend not only to ensure everyone understands the content and rules but also to ensure that players can clearly communicate boundaries with each other as needed prior to play. During play I will be using a "card" system for lines and boundaries so players can alert me to issues as they come during play; this system is touched upon in the google form and will be explained more fully during Session 0. Because video will not be utilized, use of the cards will be either verbalized of sent via text chat in the discord server or via a private message between myself and the affected player. Players will be given time after each session to decompress and process with myself and each other about what they experienced. During this time the players will be able to clarify any previously unrealized boundaries that may have been touched upon and bring up any topics that they feel need to be avoided or and directions they wish to take in the future of the campaign.