Pavilon: Promised Blue Skies | Traditional High Fantasy Campaign

Creating your character

Character creation will take place before and during Session 0. This session is dedicated to discussing your character concept, the setting, table expectations, party dynamics, and answering any questions you may have about the world or the campaign. Character Creation Details - Starting Level: 5 - Platform: FoundryVTT (gameplay) with character sheets created using Fultimator or Chronicles of Aether, then transferred to the VTT as needed. - Allowed Content: All official Fabula Ultima content except Techno Fantasy classes and related options, as they do not fit the campaign's setting. - Character Creation: I encourage players to begin with a character concept rather than mechanics. I'll gladly help you build the character you envision while ensuring it fits both the party and the world of Pavilon. No prior knowledge of the setting is required. A setting guide will be provided, and you're welcome to work with me to create original locations, NPCs, organizations, or backstory elements that naturally fit into the world.

Preparing for the session

Before the game begins, please make sure you have the following ready: - Discord: This will be our primary platform for communication, announcements, scheduling, and voice chat. Players will be invited to a private campaign server after being accepted. - Foundry VTT: The campaign will be played on Foundry VTT. No purchase is required from players; you will simply connect through your web browser using a link I provide. - A stable internet connection, a working microphone, and a headset: Clear communication helps keep the game running smoothly and ensures everyone can enjoy roleplay and combat without unnecessary interruptions. Before Session 0, I'll also provide the campaign setting guide, official character creation resources, and any additional materials you'll need to prepare your character. If you're new to Foundry VTT or Fabula Ultima, don't worry—I’ll guide you through the setup and character creation process.

What Xamious brings to the table

I strive to create an immersive, character-driven experience through descriptive narration, distinct NPC personalities, character voices, ambient music, and meaningful roleplay. My goal is for the world to feel responsive to your actions, where your choices, relationships, and backstory have a lasting impact on the story. As a GM, I balance Rules as Written with the Rule of Cool. During combat, I generally follow the rules to keep encounters fair, consistent, and tactically engaging. Outside of that, I'm happy to reward creative ideas and cinematic moments, provided they don't overshadow other players or undermine the game's balance. If a ruling makes for a more memorable scene while respecting everyone's enjoyment, I'm willing to bend the rules in its favor. Above all, I want every player to have opportunities to shine. Whether through roleplay, exploration, problem-solving, or combat, I make a conscious effort to ensure each character has meaningful moments throughout the campaign.

Homebrew rules

The campaign will include a small amount of homebrew content designed to expand upon areas where I feel the base system leaves room for additional storytelling tools. These additions are not intended to replace or heavily alter Fabula Ultima's core rules, but rather to support the themes and style of this campaign. Current experimental additions include: Scene-Based Dungeon Crawls Instead of traditional room-by-room dungeon exploration, certain dungeons will be structured into narrative scenes. This allows exploration, discoveries, encounters, and decisions to flow more naturally while maintaining the sense of adventure and progression found in JRPG-style games. Mortal Wounds Fabula Ultima already allows characters to make dramatic choices during moments of defeat, such as surrendering or performing a heroic sacrifice. This system expands on that idea by giving character survival and sacrifice greater narrative weight. Characters will have three opportunities to avoid permanent consequences through these dramatic moments. Once all three have been used, the character can no longer rely on such protection and must face the possibility of a final heroic sacrifice when reaching their ultimate limit. However, players are not required to wait until they have exhausted all opportunities. If a character reaches a defining moment where their ideals, relationships, or story call for a meaningful sacrifice, they may choose to do so earlier. The purpose of this system is not to punish characters or make death unavoidable, but to make important moments feel impactful and allow characters to leave behind a lasting legacy.

How Xamious creates a safe table

Player comfort and safety are important parts of maintaining a healthy table environment. During Session 0, we will discuss expectations, boundaries, and the type of themes players are comfortable engaging with throughout the campaign. Players will have the opportunity to communicate their preferences through a Lines and Veils discussion, covering topics they would like excluded entirely or handled with care. I will also keep a personal reference of these boundaries as a reminder when preparing and running sessions. During the game, players are always encouraged to speak up if something makes them uncomfortable, whether privately or at the table. Adjustments can be made if a scene reaches a boundary, as the goal is for everyone to enjoy the story together. After each session, I will provide time for feedback and discussion. This can include reviewing what players enjoyed, addressing concerns, and making sure everyone is comfortable with the direction of the campaign. If a heavier or emotional scene occurs, I will also take time to help transition back into a lighter tone and remind everyone that, while the story can be serious, we are still here to enjoy a shared game together.