#1 - Into the Dark | Gothic Horror Episodic Campaign | Lvl 1

Creating your character

Characters should be made before the first session, using the 2014 rules. All official D&D source books are available for use, however the variant human and custom lineage race options are NOT allowed, as you'll gain a starting feat by other means. ➢ Players will start at level 1. ➢ Ability scores will be determined by taking 72 points and dividing them between the 6 abilities as you wish. ➢ You may take the standard starting equipment or roll for starting gold. ➢ Together, we'll choose a starting feat that ties into your character's backstory and gives them a defining feature right at level 1.

Preparing for the session

Requirements ➢ Once you've been accepted into the adventure, check out the preparation materials for all the links you'll need to get set up. ➢ Join the Discord. ➢ Have a decent mic/headset. ➢ Join the Roll20. ➢ Create a character using any platform (D&D Beyond, Roll20, ye olde pen and paper). ➢ Reach out to me on Discord so that we can decide on your starting feat and put together a quick backstory that ties in with the setting. Optional ➢ Send me a character image or token for use on Roll20. ➢ Fill out the Lines and Veils questionnaire if there are topics you wish to flag. Discord is my preferred platform for communication with players, but DMs on StartPlaying are also open, I may just be slower to respond. We’ll be using Roll20 as our VTT, but you’re not required to use it for your character sheet, feel free to stick with whatever method works best for you. The same goes for dice, you’re welcome to roll digitally or use physical dice. I’ll trust your rolls, this is all about having fun together. Importantly, do not hesitate to reach out to me for help with any of the above.

What OracleGaming brings to the table

What I Bring as Your GM ➢ Collaborative character creation - I’ll work with you to develop your backstory and firmly root your character within the world and the Order of the Gilded Skull. Together, we'll also choose a starting feat, that ties into your character's backstory and gives them a defining feature right at level 1. ➢ A supportive environment for new players - Guidance is always available, whether it’s rules, roleplay, or building confidence at the table. ➢ Community Discord server - A welcoming space to connect with fellow players, ask questions, and stay engaged between sessions, with dedicated channels for this campaign. ➢ Custom magic items - You’ll encounter unique magical items, including both setting-based artefacts and items designed specifically for your character. ➢ Homebrew support - If you have a character concept not covered by official material, I’m open to working with you to create balanced homebrew options. What You Can Expect from the Campaign ➢ A dark, gothic tone - Investigations into hauntings, cults, forbidden knowledge, and things that should not exist. ➢ Player-driven, evolving narrative - Your choices shape the story, with a responsive world, meaningful consequences, and personalised arcs tied to your character’s goals and growth. ➢ Challenging encounters - Not every fight is fair, or even winnable. Strategy, caution, and creativity are key. ➢ Opportunities for roleplay and investigation - This is not just combat, expect mystery-solving, social encounters, and moral dilemmas. ➢ Character growth and development - Your character will evolve through both triumphs and failures. ➢ A balance of structure and freedom - A central narrative guides the campaign, but how you engage with it is up to you. ➢ Real stakes - Danger is ever-present, and character death is possible, but always meaningful within the story.

Homebrew rules

➢ Inspiration - Fellow players can award inspiration if the group agrees someone is deserving. Good roleplaying, clever thinking or simply doing something exciting in the game are valid reasons to award inspiration. ➢ Critical Hits - When you roll a crit, instead of rolling double the damage dice, treat the ordinary damage dice as having rolled their max value, then roll the additional crit dice. ➢ Level Up Hit Points - When rolling hit die to determine the amount of hit points gained for going up a level, if the die result is under your Constitution modifier, you may round it up to your Con mod. ➢ Flanking - When a creature is flanking their target, they gain a +2 bonus to their melee attack rolls. ➢ Death Saves - Players must make their death saving throws in secret. Only after 3 successes or failures can they reveal the outcome. ➢ Bonus Potions - Player characters may use a bonus action to consume a potion they are holding. If they instead choose to use their action, any healing they receive from the potion is treated as having rolled the max die result. Feeding a potion to another player is still requires an action. ➢ Falling Unconscious - When a creature is reduced to 0 hit points and falls unconscious, it must succeed on a DC10 Constitution saving throw or suffer 1 point of exhaustion. Each subsequent time a creature makes this save, the DC increases by 5. The DC resets to 10 when the creature takes a long rest.

How OracleGaming creates a safe table

This campaign leans into a dark, gothic horror tone, drawing on classic and supernatural themes. Players can expect unsettling environments, psychological tension, violence and gore, and encounters with the unnatural. I will try to ensure session content warnings are accurate however, due to the unpredictable and evolving nature of the campaign, some themes or topics may arise unexpectedly. While the tone will be intense, the goal is to create an engaging and atmospheric experience rather than shock for its own sake. The following safety tools will be used to help ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all players. ➢ Lines and Veils - A Google Form is available in advance for all players to submit any topics they wish to avoid. ➢ Open Door - Players may remove themselves from the session at any point, for any reason without judgement. I will check in with them and together come to a solution to progress the story while prioritising their wellbeing. ➢ Breaks - I will plan at least one break per session, but players are free to request a break at any time, and may step out whenever needed. ➢ Open Dialogue - We’ll maintain open, respectful communication to ensure everyone feels comfortable. Players are encouraged to raise concerns at any time, during or after sessions, publicly or privately.