Session 0

In our session 0 we will talk about the characters that we'll make, build backgrounds for them, and start talking a bit In a meta way about the game we want to play.

Character Creation

For this campaign, we're going to do things a little differently from the AL-standard Core 5e stuff we have been doing. Here's a list of what's different:

• Starting at 3rd level
• Rolling for stats (rather than using point buy or a standard array). In Session 0 we will go through the process of rolling those stats in DND Beyond. You'll roll 3 sets of 4d6 stats and choose the best of the three -- so you should all get some pretty interesting stat blocks.
• Additional options cribbed from Level Up 5E (from En World Press). More on that in a bit, we're looking at what we can easily include.
• Theme: Leaning into some more steampunk flavor and more psionic elements for this campaign. This will include much more prevalent gunpowder weapons, new magic-tech, etc.
• Pitch a Subclass/Character option to me - if you want to do something that we don't

Level Up 5E Tweaks

There's some really interesting stuff in Level Up 5E. What they are presenting is a whole new version of 5e, re-engineered with a bit more complexity and some new options that appeal to the folks at EN World. We're going to be picking a few things that we can drop in easily.

Destiny

In Level Up 5e, Destiny is a part of the character's creation process. Each character gets a defined destiny and that destiny determines the sorts of things that the character can do to earn inspiration. Destinies also come with a basic special feature and a special ability you gain once you have fulfilled your destiny. See Destinies

Background Cards

We will be using background cards to create connections between characters. As part of that process, the cards may call for shared Ingredients that we need to define ahead of time. There are three each of the following: People, Groups, Places, and Events. These are key catalysts for the PC's connections to each other, so they should be things that the PCs would have encountered, and that will be important parts of the PC's experience leading up to the campaign.

My plan Is for the campaign to begin In the city of XXX, so these should be all part of that general setting.

People

1. Willow
2. Cruces, a retired Inquisitive and rumored member of the Dark Lanterns. He's apparently a comically old fop and rake, but looks may be deceiving. His retirement in XXX makes him even more suspicious.
3. Ganitari, an aging Kalashtar, and his companion, a warforged archer named Checkmate. Ganitari and Checkmate are survivors of a campaign on Icewhite Island, turning up recovering from mortal wounds among the Icefolk after things settled down on the Island. From there they traveled to the Eldeen Reaches and continued some adventuring, but were always troubled by Ganitari's visions and nightmares, which have been getting worse of late.

Groups

1. Children of Imbok (Trickster Cult causing all kinds of mischief) (any). The appearance of nine new gods in the world resulted In some shakeups. In general, the gods of Eberron are distant and do not take direct action, preferring to operate through their faithful. However, these nine gods are very much active beings in the world. They scattered and small shrines have cropped up all over Khorvaire -- and around those shrines grow cults that serve these vain, selfish divinities.
2. The Order of the Magnificent Butterfly (Korth)- originally a group that worked to preserve the rights of the undead, the group has become more militant and powerful In recent years, and is rumored to be under the influence of the Blood of Vol.
3. The Silver Musketeers, a Thranish military unit, pride of the silver flame. It's not clear why they're in the city, but they've been here for a few months, having taken over a tavern near a local church of the Silver Flame.

Places

1. Shadowed Depths, a Karrnathi prison outside of Korth
2. Wreck of the Pride of Stormhome, a Lyrandar Air Galleon that was brought down during the Fall of the Tower of the Twelve
3. Grand Cathedral of the Sovereign Host in Korth, rebuilt over the past twelve years.

Events

1. The destruction of the Shoushe pe monastery. A Kalashtar monastery was built nearby by a handful of Kalashtar refugees from Adar. They were interested in modeling good and fighting evil, and even started to teach some of the basics of the Shoushe Pe arts. Then a terrible storm struck, and while people were hiding from the storm the Kalashtar monks were all killed and disemboweled in their own temple, where they were found the next day.
2. The Black Mug Brotherhood is Killed. The Black Mug Brotherhood was a band of adventurers who operated in the area and had some notoriety. They returned from a successful exploration of a ruin, but over the course of the next two weeks all five of them were murdered in and around the city. The murders were grisly and memorable, but no one ever was caught or claimed responsibility.
3. Festival of the Redeemed (1019) - Last year's Festival of the Redeemed was the biggest, most exciting version of the festival yet.

Who is the Former PC Patron?

There are several options that we need to consider. Here's what I see as possible choices (those we do not select may become important NPCs later)

• Willow - This patron would have the characters starting off in Korth. Early activities might include missions on behalf of the Karrnath Association for the Advancement of Dead People
• Blue Bari. This patron would have the characters starting off in Droaam. Early activities might include missions on behalf of the Droaam military.
• Greygale. This patron would have the characters starting off in Stormhome. Early activities might include missions on behalf of House Lyrandar.
• Jaargen. This patron would have the characters starting off in Krona Peak, capital of the Mror Holds. Early activities might include missions on behalf of House Kundarak. Imbok might make a fun alternative to Jaargen as patron.
• Bruggart. This patron would have the characters starting off in Droaam. Early activities might include missions on behalf of the Droaam underworld.
• Mother Olena d'Orien, parent of Viktor. This patron would have the characters start in Korth. Early activities would likely be missions on behalf of the Sovereign Host.

Begbie