One Piece: The Forgotten Islands

Creating your character

​Starting Character Rules ​Starting Level: Level 1. ​Stat Generation: Stats will be rolled using the Avrae bot in our campaign Discord server using the standard !randchar or !roll 4d6k3 command. Rolls must be executed in the designated channel so everyone can see the results. If your total rolls are exceptionally low, a re-roll or swap to standard array will be permitted upon review. ​Allowed Books & Sources: We will be using the D&D 5e core rules as our base engine alongside custom One Piece 5e homebrew options for races (e.g., Fishmen, Mink, Skypieans, Cyborgs) and Devil Fruits. Official 5e sources (Player’s Handbook, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything) are fully allowed. Please avoid setting-specific content from other universes (like Magic: The Gathering or Ebberon books) unless reskinned and approved first. ​Pirate Crew Integration ​South Blue Origins: Your character must have a reason to be starting their adventure in the South Blue. They can be a local native, an exile from another sea, or a traveler stranded in the region. ​Crew Roles: Think about the ship role your character wants to fill (Captain, Navigator, Sniper, Cook, Doctor, Shipwright, Musician, or Master at Arms). We will coordinate as a group to make sure the crew has the vital roles covered before setting sail!

Preparing for the session

Before we launch into Session 1, make sure you complete each step in the setup checklist below. ​Platform Accounts & Software Setup ​Discord: Create a free Discord account if you don't already have one, download the desktop app (recommended for audio stability), and join our campaign Discord server using the invite link provided. ​Virtual Tabletop (VTT): Create a free account on Roll20 (or Foundry VTT, depending on our host choice). This is where our battle maps, tokens, and visual handouts will live. ​Hardware: Ensure you have a functioning microphone and headphones. Clear audio communication is essential for active roleplay and tactical combat. ​Character & Mechanics Prep ​Roll Your Stats: Head to the #bot-rolls channel in our Discord server and use the Avrae bot to roll your standard 6 ability scores using the !randchar or !roll 4d6k3 commands. ​Build Your Sheet: Draft your character sheet on Roll20 or D&D Beyond using 1st-level character creation rules. Incorporate your chosen race (Human, Fishman, Mink, Skypiean, etc.) and class options from our One Piece 5e homebrew guide. ​Character Backstory & South Blue Anchor: Write a 1-to-2 paragraph character backstory. Specify why your character is currently in the South Blue, what their dream or ambition is, and what role they want to fill on the ship (e.g., Navigator, Deckhand, Doctor, Shipwright). ​DM Approval: Submit your completed character sheet and backstory in the #character-approval channel for review before the deadline!

What Kaito Shiaba brings to the table

Atmosphere & Immersive Audio ​Dynamic Soundtracks: Custom ambient audio and battle playlists featuring iconic One Piece tracks, sea shanties, and anime battle themes to match every mood. ​Distinct Character Voices: Dedicated voices, accents, and mannerisms for NPCs—from eccentric pirate captains to corrupt Marine officers. ​Rich Handouts & Visuals: High-quality maps, bounty posters, custom Devil Fruit sheets, and visual handouts for key lore reveals. ​DM Style & Gameplay Focus ​Rule of Cool > Rules as Written: While we stick to a solid 5e framework for consistency, fun and cinematic storytelling always come first. If you describe an absurd, creative One Piece-style maneuver—like using a cannonball as a trampoline or combining attacks with a crewmate—we will find a way to roll for it. ​Cinematic & Strategic Combat: Fights are designed to feel like anime set-pieces, complete with dynamic environments, destruction, and multi-stage boss encounters rather than simple static damage races. ​Player-Driven Sandbox: Your decisions directly alter the world. The bounties you earn, the allies you make, and the islands you choose to explore shape the overarching story of the South Blue and the Forgotten Islands. ​Character-Centric Storytelling: Your backstory, personal goals, and dreams will be woven straight into the main plot, ensuring every crew member gets their moment in the spotlight.

Homebrew rules

Combat & Action Economy ​Bonus Action Potions & Items: Drinking a potion, eating a Rumble Ball, or consuming a minor battle item takes a Bonus Action. Feeding a potion to an unconscious ally still requires a full Action. ​Cinematic Critical Hits: Critical hits deal maximum weapon damage plus a standard damage roll (e.g., 1\text{d}8 + 8 + \text{modifier}). This ensures crits always feel powerful and avoids rolling double ones. ​Over-the-Top Rule of Cool: You can spend your reaction to attempt creative environment interactions (e.g., kicking a table to shield a comrade or swinging from a rigging line). Roll an appropriate skill check (Athletics/Acrobatics); success adds tactical bonuses or extra damage. ​One Piece Specific Mechanics ​Devil Fruit Discovery & Mastery: Consuming a Devil Fruit grants custom abilities that scale with your level. Using a fruit's ability near water or Seastone causes severe exhaustion and disables power usage. ​Lingering Injuries & Bounties: Falling to 0 HP doesn't mean instant death, but surviving lethal blows may leave iconic lasting scars. Big plays, defeating Marines, or causing chaos directly raises your personal and crew bounties after every major arc. ​Combined Attacks: Two players can align their turns in initiative to combine their attacks into a single, massive anime-style tag-team move, forcing a single high-impact saving throw or armor check on the target.

How Kaito Shiaba creates a safe table

Pre-Game Safety & Consent Tools ​Lines and Veils Form: Prior to Session 0, every player will receive a link to an anonymous Google Form detailing standard RPG topics. We will establish clear Lines (hard boundaries that will never appear in the campaign) and Veils (topics that can exist in the story but will fade to black off-screen). ​Digital X, N, & O Cards: During live sessions, players can use our custom Discord bot/private message commands or direct-message the DM with safety signals: ​X (Stop): Pause the scene immediately, retcon or skip the content, no questions asked. ​N (Pause/Caution): Slow down or adjust the direction of the scene; topic is nearing a veil. ​O (Okay): Check-in confirmation that everyone is comfortable proceeding with intense content. ​Session 0 Alignment ​Group Expectations: We will dedicate Session 0 to reviewing the compiled Lines and Veils, setting tone boundaries (balancing classic One Piece slapstick humor with serious dramatic moments), discussing PVP rules (PVP actions require mutual consent), and confirming character goals. ​Debriefing & Aftercare ​Post-Session Cool Down: After high-intensity sessions, major character deaths, or emotionally heavy plot points, we will take 5-10 minutes for an informal post-game chat. This gives players a chance to step out of character, process big moments, share favorite highlights, and ensure everyone leaves the table in good spirits. ​Open Door DM DMs: My direct messages are always open between sessions if a player ever wants to discuss an uncomfortable moment, adjust their boundaries, or request story adjustments privately.