The Crooked Moon: Weave Your Dreadful Folktale

Creating your character

🚂 WHO BOARDS THE GHOSTLIGHT EXPRESS? Character Creation: Handled Live in Session 0 You do not need a completed character sheet before joining. Character creation is handled collaboratively during Session 0, live inside our virtual tabletop. Whether you arrive with a fully formed character concept or nothing more than a name and an idea, we’ll build your character together and find their place beneath the Crooked Moon. Character Creation * Starting Level: 1 * Ability Scores: Point Buy or one-time rolling, live in the VTT * Starting Equipment: Class equipment or starting gold, your choice * Allowed Sources: Official Wizards of the Coast material, subject to DM approval * Unearthed Arcana: Not permitted unless discussed and approved beforehand THREADS OF FATE Connecting Your Character to Druskenvald Every character should have a reason to enter, or already be connected to, the haunted lands of Druskenvald. Travelers, hunters, scholars, wandering mercenaries, monster hunters, clergy, outcasts, fortune-seekers, and those chasing strange rumors can all find a natural place here. But the most memorable characters bring something else with them. A fear. A secret. A regret. A promise. Something they desperately want. Or something they desperately want to escape. The Crooked Moon places a heavy emphasis on roleplay, investigation, mystery, and choices with lasting consequences. Your character’s fears, flaws, ambitions, relationships, personal goals, and secrets give me threads I can weave directly into the campaign. Your backstory isn’t something that simply happened before the adventure. It can follow you into Druskenvald. BEFORE THE TRAIN DEPARTS What Happens During Session 0 Session 0 is our collaborative starting point. Together, we will: * Introduce the characters and begin establishing party connections * Finish character creation and VTT setup * Discuss campaign expectations and the tone of our folk-horror story * Establish boundaries and safety tools * Connect your character and backstory to Druskenvald * Make sure everyone is completely ready for Session 1 New to D&D or Foundry? That’s completely fine. Session 0 is specifically designed to make sure nobody is left figuring things out alone. Bring your character concept, your questions, and perhaps a secret or two. The Ghostlight Express will take care of the rest.

Preparing for the session

🎟️ YOUR TICKET IS PUNCHED Preparing for Session 0 Before the Ghostlight Express departs for Druskenvald, please complete these quick steps so you’re ready for Session 0. * Join the Campaign Discord Use the private Discord invitation to join our voice chat, campaign community, and session updates. * Create Your Forge Account Sign up for a free player account on The Forge VTT, which hosts our Foundry game. * Enter the Game Room Use the Forge campaign invitation sent directly to your StartPlaying dashboard after booking. This will give you access to our virtual tabletop. * Prepare Your Browser For the best Foundry experience, use an up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. * Test Your Equipment Check your microphone, headphones, and Discord audio before Session 0 so we can get straight into character creation. * Choose Your Portrait Bring a character portrait or piece of concept art you love. I’ll use it to help create your character’s token for the campaign. Once these are complete, you’re ready to board. Keep your ticket close. The Ghostlight Express waits for no soul.

What GM: Vale brings to the table

What You Can Expect From My Games I want Druskenvald to feel like a place you step into, not simply a map you move across. Every session is built around atmosphere, character-driven storytelling, exploration, and the feeling that something may be waiting just beyond the lantern light. A WORLD WITH A VOICE Expect immersive roleplay with distinct NPC personalities, motivations, mannerisms, and relationships. The people you meet remember your choices, form opinions about your party, and may become trusted allies or dangerous enemies. Your own story matters too. Whenever possible, your character’s backstory, fears, ambitions, secrets, and relationships will become threads woven into the larger campaign. ATMOSPHERE YOU CAN FEEL Music, ambient sound, environmental effects, and carefully built scenes help transform each location into something memorable. Quiet forests should feel unsettling. A lonely village should feel isolated. And when something is stalking you through the darkness, you should feel it before you see it. A LIVING VIRTUAL TABLETOP Our game runs through Foundry VTT, with detailed maps enhanced by: * Dynamic lighting and vision * Weather and environmental effects * Interactive elements * Atmospheric audio and music * Visual effects and animations * Scene-specific storytelling details The VTT is not just where combat happens. It is part of how we bring Druskenvald to life. MORE THAN MONSTER SLAYING Expect a balance of roleplay, investigation, exploration, mystery, and meaningful combat. Not every encounter is meant to become a fight. Information can be as valuable as a weapon, and sometimes knowing when not to draw your sword is what keeps you alive. YOUR CHOICES LEAVE SCARS Decisions have consequences. The people you help, the promises you make, the creatures you spare, and the enemies you create can change what happens later. There may not always be a perfect answer. There will simply be your answer. RULES SERVE THE STORY Rules as Written provide our foundation, keeping the game consistent and fair. But when creativity, clever thinking, or a fantastic character moment deserves a chance to shine, Rule of Cool has a place at my table. New players and experienced adventurers are equally welcome. Questions are encouraged, communication stays open, and storytelling is something we build together. Expect mystery. Expect folklore. Expect exploration, danger, and difficult choices. Not every threat can be defeated with a sword. Not every monster reveals itself in the dark. “Under the Crooked Moon, old stories are often true.”

Homebrew rules

House Rules ════════════════════════════ Exhaustion & Resurrection Exhaustion only occurs when a character dies and is brought back to life. Any exhaustion gained is applied after combat ends rather than immediately during the encounter. Initiative Flexibility You may voluntarily lower your initiative order in combat if you want to coordinate actions, tactics, or plans with another player. Stealth Rules Stealth checks are rolled only when there is a realistic chance of being detected. You do not need to continuously make Stealth checks while moving through areas where enemies have no opportunity to notice you. Potions Potions, including healing potions, can be used as a bonus action. • Bonus Action: Roll normally for healing or effects. • Full Action: Gain the maximum possible healing or effect automatically. Martial Scroll Use Martial classes can use spell scrolls. This includes: • Fighter • Paladin • Rogue • Barbarian • Monk • Ranger Critical Hits Critical hits deal maximum normal damage plus an additional damage roll for the critical effect. These are rolled automatically through Foundry VTT This rule applies to both players and monsters. Long Rest Safety Rule A long rest only grants full benefits when taken in a reasonably safe and secure location. Examples of safe locations include: • Taverns • Protected camps • Fenwatch Manor • Fortified buildings • Secure hideouts Resting in dangerous locations such as swamps, tunnels, roadside camps, wilderness areas, or similar environments will usually provide only partial recovery or the benefits of a short rest. Lingering Injuries Lingering injuries are used only during significant moments and are not intended for every combat encounter. You may suffer a lingering injury if: • You are reduced to 0 hit points by a critical hit • You fail multiple death saves • You survive an especially brutal attack, trap, or monster ability Lingering injuries exist to create memorable moments and tension, not to permanently ruin characters. Examples include: • Cracked ribs • A limp • A scarred eye • Broken fingers • Ringing ears Most lingering injuries create minor penalties and can usually be treated through rest, healing magic, downtime, or story progression. Severe injuries are rare. Private Death Saving Throws Death saving throws are rolled privately with the DM. When your character falls unconscious, other players will not know whether you are stable, close to death, or one failed roll away from dying. Players must react based on what their characters can realistically observe rather than relying on mechanical information. This rule adds tension and urgency when a party member goes down.

How GM: Vale creates a safe table

Player comfort and enjoyment always come first. • Session 0 will cover expectations, boundaries, themes, and any concerns players may have • Open communication is encouraged before, during, and after sessions • Players are welcome to privately message me at any time if something makes them uncomfortable • You may step away, take a break, mute, or leave at any time if needed — no explanation required • Content can be adjusted, skipped, or faded to black if something becomes uncomfortable for the group • Horror and darker themes are part of this campaign, but player comfort will always take priority over the game • New and experienced players are welcome, and I aim to create a respectful and supportive environment The goal is to create an immersive game where everyone feels comfortable participating, roleplaying, and enjoying the experience together.