Cascoria: The Blades of Betrayal

Creating your character

Have an idea of what you want, but we will get into the nitty gritty of character creation in our session 0. Sources: 5.5e - DMG, PHB, MM, Ravenloft, Eberron

Preparing for the session

I run voice and video through Discord. Video is optional and we can discuss it in Session 0. You will need a D&D Beyond account. I host a private server running Foundry VTT, which is where we will import our characters. Prior to Session 0, I will send you the link to the game and your password. Note that as the admin, I initially set the password, so if you want to change it, please do not use a password that you use for any other service.

What Darth brings to the table

I host on a dedicated, secure server with a custom domain to ensure a stable, professional connection for everyone. I am an amateur voice actor, so I have a lot of voices to use and for you guys to get to know. I use a lot of maps. I would say that I have around 70-100 maps and I'm always making more. I have a lot of royalty free music that I use, but sometimes I will use some familiar stuff. The Rule of Cool is favored at my table. In a combat, if your story has gotten to the point where you should get the finishing blow... the enemy has 8 hp left and you roll... 2 dmg. Forget that - you will get a second hit so you can take us through what it looks like. If you have a spell and want to try to use it in a different way, tell us. I love when a player says "ok... hear me out". That means I now get to hear a bonkers thing that I wouldn't have predicted. I'm here for it. Rule of Cool! I will walk everyone through combat as we begin. Depending on your choices, there are moments where combat can be hard due to tactical complexity, lethality, or ethical weight (the Covenant asks a lot from you). As the story ramps up, combat will be mainly limited to dungeons and bosses with few exceptions. However, because I am a roleplayer, most of my combat (80% or so) can be talked out of. You never know who might just walk away.

Homebrew rules

1. I am a fan of spell burn. If a caster is out of spell slots, you can take a level of fatigue based on half the level of the spell (minimum 1) in order to cast it anyway. 2. There are "cut scene" moments where there is nothing mechanical that you can do to effect the scene. They are intended to be informational and are almost always at the end of arcs. 3. Brutal Critical - When you land a critical hit, instead of doubling the dice, you take the maximum value of the first set of dice and then roll the second set. Note* Narratively, there will be times where enemies also get this advantage. These times are made clear through an in-game mechanic. 4. Drinking a potion is a bonus action. Using one on someone else is an action. 5. Flanking gives +2 instead of advantage to not negate other forms of advantage such as Reckless Attack (I have yet to meet a Barbarian that didn't use this 97% of the time). 6. The edits - I don't want to outright ban things, but I don't want them to break the momentum, intensity, or give complete safe harbor either. This list is not exhaustive and I may add more if needed. (The full list will always be available in foundry): a. Silvery Barbs - This is a second level spell for normal enemies and will also consume a bardic inspiration (if a bard is available), or a hit die on a boss. b. Tiny Hut will not be impenetrable. c. Twilight Domain Cleric's temp hp will only trigger once per round d. Guidance must be cast while beside a player (visually within Foundry) and your character will be speaking aloud - so be careful if you are hiding and want to cast Guidance. 7. Rounding on rolls - In Cascoria, we always round in favor of the monster/threat. If a calculation results in a half-number, it will be rounded toward the outcome that is most challenging for the players (the only exception is Spell Burn)." 8. I will also introduce my own homebrew content when the story calls for it. This includes new and additional feats, mechanics, spells, and artifacts. 9. I am a such a fan of anime's tendency for heroes to yell out their moves, or recite a poem for a spell before they yell out what it is. I'm a sucker for it in anime and I am a sucker for it at my table. This is not required, but boy does it put a smile on my face.

How Darth creates a safe table

While the platform's checkboxes give a general idea, the following descriptions outline the specific, custom safety systems I use in my games. This section is what I have available. If it is marked below, its because there is a version of it here. I am also very open to player ideas. If there is some way I can enhance player safety, let me know and I will do my best to accommodate. Hard Stops - I have an extensive player survey for each player to fill out. Whatever "Hard Stops" you indicate will not show in the story. A list of these will be available in a Foundry journal along with some help notes, house rules, and other information. By being in my game, you are consenting to abide by everyone's "Hard Stops" Digital Veto Button - Within Foundry, there is a veto button. Pressing the veto button interrupts the game by pausing and flashing an X on the screen. This is intended for you to use if anyone is crossing a line. Once I see the X, I will ask if anyone wants to give context for the veto so I can change or I will pivot the scene. Active Communication - I have an open discussion policy as well. If you are not comfortable with something, but it isn't Veto worthy, tell me. Message me. Communicate with me so I know. I never want you sitting there having to 'take it'. Whatever it is, I can pivot. We will also have a designated 5-10 minute break in the middle of the session. Obviously, you can get up if you need to, but this is to take a moment. You can also ask for a mini break instead. If you think some decompression is needed, we can take a mini break. The content warnings below are some of the things that can happen in my story. Session 0 - We will go over all of it in session 0.