Ashes of the Empire ( Drawsteel Codex )
The Emperor is dead. The rightful heir was assassinated before his coronation, and now three royal siblings wage war for the throne
$25.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Tuesday - 11:00 PM UTC
Nov 4 / Session 7
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 1+ Sessions
3 / 4 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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Schedule
Meet your party members
3/4
About the adventure
Ashes of the Empire is a long-term D&D 5e campaign set in a world inspired by medieval Europe and Greco-Roman mythology. The Emperor is dead, the heir has been assassinated, and three royal siblings now wage a brutal civil war for control of the Empire. As armies clash and noble houses maneuver for power, darker threats emerge from forgotten ruins, ancient forests, and the shadows of history. You begin in the remote frontier village of Grayhaven, far from the centers of power. What starts as local troubles—missing hunters, monster attacks, and strange happenings in the woods—will eventually draw you into the greatest conflict of the age. This is a true 0-to-hero adventure focused on roleplay, exploration, political intrigue, meaningful choices, and character growth. Your actions will shape the future of kingdoms, determine who claims the throne, and perhaps uncover the truth behind the murder that shattered an empire. The world is changing. What will rise from the ashes?
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Realm Building
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(42)
4 years on StartPlaying
716 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Beginner Friendly, World Builder
Average response time: 8 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hello! My name is Ben, and I've been a professional Dungeon Master for around five years. I wanted to take a moment to tell you a little about myself before you join one of my tables. Before becoming a full-time GM, I worked as a chef. When COVID changed everything, I turned to Dungeons & Dragons as a way to stay connected with people, have fun, and build a community of like-minded players. What started as a hobby has grown into an incredible Discord community and a career that I genuinely love. My goal is simple: create a welcoming table where everyone can enjoy themselves while exploring exciting adventures, classic modules, homebrew worlds, and even entirely different RPG systems. Whether you're brand new to tabletop games or a seasoned veteran, I want every session to be memorable, engaging, and fun. Of course, every group has its challenges. I believe a good table thrives on respect and teamwork, so I maintain a firm but fair approach to party dynamics. My priority is making sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the game and feel included. If you're looking for a relaxed, friendly, and well-run game where everyone can have a great time together, I'd love to welcome you to one of my tables.
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Creating your character
Players will create their characters during Session Zero together as a group. I’ll guide you step by step so no experience is needed. We’ll use D&D Beyond or Foundry VTT (Plutonium tools) to build and manage your character sheets — whichever works best for the group.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Join our friendly Discord community Bring a mic No rulebooks required — I’ll teach you Players will need to create a free account on Squire — this is where we’ll host game materials and manage parts of the session.
What ArcaneBenji brings to the table
Pre-generated characters (or help making your own) A guided rules explanation during play Foundry VTT with dynamic maps and visuals Music and atmosphere for immersion Session recaps and support between games A welcoming, judgment-free environment
Homebrew rules
I lean into a rule of cool approach — if something sounds fun, creative, and fits the moment, we’ll find a way to make it work. My goal is to keep the game flowing, exciting, and welcoming rather than getting bogged down in rules debates — especially for newer players.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How ArcaneBenji creates a safe table
Creating a welcoming and respectful table is very important to me. Players are always welcome to DM me privately during the game if anything comes up that makes them uncomfortable — whether it’s content, tone, pacing, or anything else. I will always listen and adjust. We use Lines & Veils to establish clear boundaries and make sure we avoid or fade out topics that players don’t want in the game. I also encourage open communication — if there are other safety tools you’re familiar with or would like to use, they are absolutely welcome at the table. We build a safe play space together. My goal is for everyone to feel comfortable, respected, and able to enjoy the story.
Content warnings
Safety tools used