D&D 5e Homebrew - Oathsworn of the Red Lotus (🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Friendly)

About the adventure

Heroes they say? This world doesn't need heroes, that's what got us all killed in the first place. They'll tell you the monsters did it, that the gateway to the beyond plagued this world with a disease we could not help but succumb to...but that's bull. It was a heroic bunch of fame hunting, thrill seekers that touched something they shouldn't have, opened a door best left closed. One year later and the world was in ruins, just a few cities left against the unrelenting perils of the "Beyond," or so we now call it. You head outside these walls, kids, and the Beyond will eat you alive...unless you're ready. That's what we at the Red Lotus do! Our Oathsworn venture into the unknown so you don't have to. Need some goods delivered to another settlement? Red Lotus can do it. Heard a monster is ravaging convoys and need it killed? Red Lotus can kill it. Found an old map with some long-forgotten ruins? Red Lotus can search it. We're not heroes, because like I say: the world doesn't need those. No. We're pragmatists and professionals, we get the job done or die trying. That's the Red Lotus way. ----------------------- Oathsworn of the Red Lotus is a homebrew post-apocalyptic, gritty, steam punk fantasy game using the 5e Dungeons & Dragons rules in which travelling, and survival are as important as surviving the next encounter. Where magic is the stuff of legend and spellcasters, of which players could be a select few, are feared and revered in equal measure; known as the 'gifted.' The world of Oathsworn of the Red Lotus is reduced to a few sporadic cities, and the Beyond: a ravaged wasteland of varying biomes overrun with monsters and their ilk. Players take on the role of Oathsworn, professionals in service to the last guild brave (or foolish) enough to send parties outside of the safety of settlements. Oathsworn are equal parts investigators, survivalists, warriors, and lore masters, carrying the skills to survive for long periods of time outside city walls. All D&D 5e classes are available to play, with most subclasses as viable options.

Additional Details

How to prepare

Character idea/backgrounds are always welcome early but not integral. You will need a mic, and a webcam if comfortable. We will use a Discord bot to roll. As for software, I own Foundry VTT so you do not need to worry about purchasing that software though you will require an up-to-date web browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox.

What I provide

I use Inkarnate to make both world maps, city/town maps, and battle maps. People will have access to the world map in Discord.

Gameplay details

Players can expect a narrative and roleplay driven experience with puzzles and combat secondary, yet integral, to the development of overall themes. Although Red Lotus focuses on professionals taking jobs outside city walls, and facing those dangers, players will have the opportunity to explore settlements and play in the sandbox alongside these commitments. With regards to safety tools, I operate on a direct message (or group chat) identification of concerns and call this the Call-X, Call-N or Call-O method: rather than cards, a player can type either of these into the chat and no questions will be asked as to the reasons. I will simply change, rewind, or skip the aforementioned content in the case of a Call-X, or change or fade to black in the case of a Call-N. Session 0 will be focused primarily around confirming what the players want from being Oathsworn, for us to all get an idea of the party's composition, to discuss backgrounds, and to have a chat about any safe guards we would like in place for the game. It also operates as a great staging point for players to ask me any questions they like, and for us to set the ground rules for lines we do not cross.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Aftercare
Debriefing
Lines and Veils
Luxton Technique Discussion
Session 0
X, N, and O Cards

How will character creation work

Oathsworn start at level 3 with multi-classing available. Character's will be created in session 0, though ideas and backgrounds are welcome beforehand and my door is always open to have a chat before the fabled session 0. Characters will begin with one common (green) magic item, known in game as the 'signing bonus' of becoming Oathsworn. In this regard, I would like players to pick 3 common magic items they like the look of then in session 0 players will roll 1d6 to decide which of the 3 is there signing bonus.

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.