Bastion of Blasphemies

Creating your character

Characters begin at **level 1**. We will start with the prologue adventures to Bastion of Blasphemies and quickly advance through the first 4 levels so we can roll right into Bastion of Blasphemies at 5th level! We’ll create them together during Session 0, with time beforehand to talk through concepts, party roles, and how each character fits into the mystery at Bastardhall. You’re welcome to arrive with a concept, a Pathbuilder build, or absolutely nothing but a cool idea—we’ll get you sorted. We'll use standard Pathfinder 2e character-creation rules and ability boosts, plus the following: - Free Archetype - Automatic Rune Progression - Gradual Ability Boosts Official Paizo character options are welcome; uncommon options are generally fine if they fit the campaign, while rare/unique options, third-party material, and anything potentially setting-breaking should be cleared with me first. I ask that characters be willing to work with the party and engage with the central mystery. I recommend building in Pathbuilder or in Foundry VTT (I can give you early access), then we’ll import, recreate or tweak your character in Foundry VTT before play begins. Newer Pathfinder players are welcome; I've got the Heroes Handbook (PF2e's new player guide) posted in my Discord server. I’m happy to help with the mechanics so we can spend our energy on the fun stuff—curses, conspiracies, and haunted castles.

Preparing for the session

Before Session 0, please: - Join the campaign Discord server using the invite link I’ll provide. A free Discord account is required for scheduling, announcements, and voice chat. - Have a computer with a stable internet connection, a headset or headphones, and a microphone. We’ll use Discord for voice and Foundry VTT in a modern desktop browser (Chrome works best)—no Foundry purchase or software download is required, but you will need to get a free account at ForgeVTT.com if you don't already have one. - Message me privately on Discord with any accessibility needs, hard limits, or topics you’d prefer to avoid (keeping in mind this is a Gothic Horror campaign). - Bring a character concept for a level 1 Pathfinder 2e adventurer. Building in Pathbuilder or in FoundryVTT is recommended but optional. You can totally show up with a paper and pencil character sheet, PDF, Demiplane Nexus character, or just vibes and we'll make it work! That's what Session Zero is for!

What Gamersaurus Lex brings to the table

I provide a polished Foundry VTT experience with custom maps, atmospheric scenes, handouts, tokens, music, sound effects, and clear automation to keep play moving. You’ll have a campaign Discord for scheduling, table discussion, reference material, and between-session updates, plus support with Pathfinder rules and character management whenever you need it. I provide both the Heroes Handbook (new player guide for PF2e) and the Bastion of Blesphemies Players Guide. I provide a helpful introduction to the Archives of Nethys (PF2e's free online rules resource) so you don't have to buy any books. I also provide a free web-based campaign manager that keeps track of session notes, story threads, NPCs, etc. I have written several custom modules to enhance the VTT experience and use scores more to provide an immersive experience. My games are character-driven and cinematic. I use voices, descriptive narration, ambient music, and visual presentation to make the world feel alive—but I also make room for player ideas, unexpected plans, and the memorable chaos that happens when a party takes the story in a direction nobody saw coming. Your choices, alliances, and mistakes will matter. I routinely go off-script, modifying the story in the AP if my players introduce interesting new twists or express interest in a part of the story or setting where Paizo left a gap. As an example, my version of Outlaws of Alkenstar featured a gang of mimes because a player joke turned into a pivotal feature of the setting. My version of Agents of Edgewatch had 10 times more crime-solving, evidence, and forensics than the Adventure Path because my players wanted it to be like a police procedural. Combat is tactical, challenging, and built to reward teamwork, preparation, and clever use of the environment. Character death is a real danger; if it wasn't, the stakes would be so much lower! I keep the encounters balanced to match the AP, but a series of bad decisions and bad rolls are always a possibility. That said, my NPCs and monsters have goals, fears, and other traits that can often be used to escape combat, or avoid it entirely. Recall knowledge is your best friend. I make room for all play styles at my table. Whether you’re a tactical optimizer, a lore-hungry explorer, a dedicated roleplayer, a mystery-solver, a chaos goblin with a brilliant plan, or someone still learning the game, there’s room for you at my table. I run Pathfinder rules consistently and fairly, while embracing the Rule of Cool when it creates a great moment without undermining the game’s stakes or nerfing someone else's build. Expect clear rulings, transparent expectations, and a table where everyone gets opportunities to shine. I have played and GM'd every version of D&D for 40+ years, up to and including 5.5e, and I'm very good at introducing D&D players to Pathfinder 2e.

Homebrew rules

I use a few player-friendly house rules: - Generous Aid: Teamwork is encouraged with more accessible rulings for the Aid reaction. - Bestiary Tracking: Successful Recall Knowledge carries forward. Nomore trying to remember what you learned about a specific monster when you fought the 15 session ago! - Generous Recall Knowledge: When you face the same creature—or a similar kind—you retain relevant discoveries from prior encounters, even though the Bestiary Tracker treats them as different creatures. For example, if you have faced a low level construct and fail the Recall Knowledge check when later facing or more powerful construct, you'll still be given the information from the lower-level construct that applies if the roll would have been high enough for a success against the lower level construct. - Hero Points: Each player gets a Hero Point at the start of the session and another after the mid-session break. The player-voted MVP from the previous session receives an extra Hero Point at the start of the session. - Between-Session Fiction: Players who post campaign fiction in Discord between games earn a bonus die—usually a d6—to add to one roll in the next session. Writing what I call a chronicle post (fiction goes in a Discord channel called #chronicle) is totally optional; I don't assign homework. But I do love to reward players who contribute to the story and the setting with creativity. If you are the kind of player who writes journals and stories, or creates art based on our adventures, you'll be getting bonus dice! - Hero Points and bonus dice are Fortune effects, so they generally can’t be used on the same roll or stacked with other Fortune effects.

How Gamersaurus Lex creates a safe table

Well discuss your lines and veils at the session zero. Lines are no-go topics. Veils are topics that happen off-screen or with vague descriptions. My games tend to be R rated at worst, although I do like a bit of gore and it will be my goal in a gothic horror campaign to scare you! I am comfortable with romance and sex in my games, but the graphic stuff happens off screen. All romantic initiatives between PCs must be discussed ahead of time with the other player. It's creepy to develop a crush on another PC without getting that player's buy-in for the relationship, even you both decide it will be unrequited. Players can call a halt to a scene at any time (no questions asked) if they get uncomfortable with the content. This is a rule in all my games, but it happened maybe 2 or 3 times in over 578 sessions on StartPlaying, and every time it was an unexpected reaction to a dramatic moment. One that comes to mind was a player who had to step away because one of the NPCs was a little too much like his IRL grandma!