Aarden: Out of the Fade

About the adventure

Aarden is a low-fantasy Steampunk world with a dark, HP Lovecraft-inspired pantheon of uncaring, unforgiving, and unrelenting old gods. Please note that some character creation restrictions will apply to this game world! In the long-standing Empire of Aarden, two centuries have passed since the Breach and the unleashing of the Fade upon the rest of the continent. A network of holy machinery keeps the toxic, corrosive fog at bay and the lands of the Empire safe. The Breach, however, brought more to this world than fog. Terrifying extra-dimensional beasts and monsters roam the Fadelands, and the holy order of the Hand of the Creator does not have the numbers to maintain their patrols along its borders. In the frontier towns on the outskirts of the Empire, there's high demand for those willing to brave the wilderness, defend their farmlands, or even venture into the Fade itself in search of lost relics, strange medicines, or to hunt down dangerous beasts. Aarden as a setting is one well equipped for non-linear sandbox gameplay, or player-driven narratives. Previous groups have sought to close the Breach, rebel against the oppressive theocrats, or seek fame and fortune as monster hunters or pirates. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiM2xhEHtL4&t=1s&ab_channel=It%27sNket Some people are turned off by the player restrictions - that's totally fine. If you're curious about my DM'ing style, I have other worlds or "official" worlds that I run games in as well. However, in order to achieve the darker themes, steampunk technology, and general "fear of the other" presence in Aarden, the restrictions here are very important - and make the game infinitely better for those interested. As it's low-fantasy, PC restrictions apply. Aarden is a human-only world, with a special variant of Human used within D&D Beyond or on personal sheets. Level 1 Aarden Humans gain +3 ability score points to spend, a Feat, and 2 proficiencies to choose from. Inspiration is granted after each Long Rest. As for class restrictions, the strictly "Magical" classes simply do not exist in Aarden. Wizards, Sorcerers, Bards, Warlocks, and Druids are not available. Clerics and Paladins are, but require some briefing ahead of time on how religion and magic work in Aarden. Subclasses that use magic are disallowed unless there's a realistic clockwork or steam-powered explanation for how these "spells" would function as non-magical abilities. Mutant Blood Hunters, Artificers, and CR Gunslingers fit in very well with the world. Rangers and Monks will require some flavour-based tweaking to make supernatural abilities appear nature or tech-based within the world. Game available through TaleSpire or private Foundry server.

Additional Details

How to prepare

No webcam is required, I don't use one, I don't expect players to. A mic is absolutely required, and while I don't expect anyone to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the game or the world in question, at least a loose understanding of the world you're entering is needed. (There's a video intro available, that's all you'd need.) If we use TaleSpire, you'll need that installed, for a game of this caliber I'd need everyone to have it in order for everyone to get the most out of it. If we use Foundry, you don't need anything installed.

What I provide

I provide 2d maps, up-to-date recaps, a wiki website for reference, and for players who are interested in obtaining a HeroForge mini (TaleSpire integration) I have some skill in editing those with all the wacky tricks, bells and whistles, I'd love to do that for you. I do use some AI art, through Midjourney, as well as commissioned art from a couple of partnered artists. I do not use chatGPT or any other writing-shortcut.

Gameplay details

Session 0 will allow us to go over any potential issues as a group, as well as general plans for characters to make sure there are no conflicts therein. In addition, I'm available any day, any time to go over materials or concerns to make sure everything's on the level and people are having a good time. After each session, I keep myself available to chat and we can decompress. The world is a dark one, but I try to keep a solid amount of comic relief NPC's to stop it from *feeling* dark. In the CW's I've tagged child abandonment / death, none of this occurs "in-game," as in something the characters themselves will witness, however the religious persecution of children born with magic abilities is a major part of the world's lore and will be mentioned.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Aftercare
Bleed
Breaks
Debriefing
Open Door
Session 0
Stars and Wishes
X, N, and O Cards

How will character creation work

Characters can be created prior to, or during Session 0. Characters start at level 1, and while I'd prefer to use D&D Beyond - we can also use personal character sheets or those within Foundry. I use milestone leveling, with characters levelling relatively quickly up to 5, and then slowing down after that.

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.