Introduction

I began working on this campaign over two years ago, and since then, it has grown beyond what it was originally. Initially based on Tolkien's Middle-Earth, the playable races were initially restricted to those associated with the trilogy, but this has since grown to include those associated with Greyhawk. Despite the fact that we are playing D&D 2024, the races are restricted for a reason -- in order to parallel Tolkien's world.

Races appearing after 1993 will not be permitted.

About the Campaign

In the campaign, you will need to determine friend from foe and act accordingly. I tend to ignore CR and will not “balance” the game for the sake of the players; the world is what it is and can be dangerous in some areas. Characters should be smart enough to run away from things at times; not all battles are winnable. The campaign is composed of a 2 session “one-shot” and the main part of the campaign. Note that in the “one-shot”, characters will be level 1 and/or 2. In the campaign proper, they will start at level 3.

• Type of Game — the game is a brief railroad that leads to a sandbox-based campaign. In the game, there is an initial storyline that leads to Gryrax in the Principality of Ulek, but from there, players could go in any direction. They will need to decide together what is best.
• Style of Play — gameplay will involve delving into dungeons, chasing or being chased, doing investigations now & then, as well as dealing with magic items. Combat will also be involved, as this is risk-averse game. The possibility of facing demigods is ever present.

Overview of Gameplay

After the “one-shot” (1-2 sessions), the main part of the campaign will start, provided that there are enough players. Tentatively, each session is 3-4 hour from 9am to 12pm / 1pm PST each Wednesday. If someone is late, I will only wait 10 minutes before starting gameplay (9:10 - 11:50 / 12:50). Try not to be late.

Note: A session will be cancelled if I can't make it, or if more than half the players will be absent, as indicated on Discord. Gameplay will be sandbox-based & start in Greyhawk. To secure your "seat" at the table, you must send me an e-mail prior to Session 0. Five player seats will be available. Each session will be preceded by a 10 minute video call (Google Meet). Gameplay will start at 9:10am.

Besides using Discord and Google Meet, each game session, we will be making use of D&D Beyond, Beyond20 and Foundry VTT. You will have a chance to get your feet wet in the two session one-shot prior to commencing the main part of the campaign with the same character. Note that you will need to finalize your character prior to the start of session 3.

Setting: Greyhawk

Created by Gary Gygax in the 1980s, Greyhawk was the main setting for D&D for many years. In the 2024 edition, it has resurfaced, with some alterations to the map itself. When I decided to make use of it, I made further changes, extending upon the setting with homestyle content based on Tolkien’s work.

Initially the setting was just a homestyle world based on Middle-Earth, as noted above, with its own history and set of maps. As I revised it, this soon changed, but one thing remained: the barrier around the newly found land-mass. Your characters are well aware of this discovery (564 CY).

• Barrier in the Azure — In 564 CY, a group of sailors discovered a mysterious circular barrier in the Azure Sea, north of the Olman Islands. Many speculated that it was somehow controlled from the Amedio Jungle, but the western side of the barrier was too distant to confirm. Over the next six years, numerous attempts were made to cross the barrier, but many who tried ever returned.
• Barrier in the Azure - The barrier was deemed a peril to all who encountered it, with high winds often tearing ships apart. Despite the danger, some sailors persisted and managed to return with treasures. Survivors who made it to Fort Easthook reported that the inner seas were home to Krakens and other terrifying monsters. As a result, many sailors refused to venture into the heart of the Azure Sea.

The campaign is centred around the Azure Sea and the Amedio Jungle. Like Ghosts of Saltmarsh, you will be going out to sea. The background that you come up with should be associated with the Flanaess region of Oerth. You will find a lot of information associated with Greyhawk, including the one at Greyhawk Online. For those seeking Anna Meyer's maps, it also can be found at Greyhawk Online.

Character Creation

Besides the Player's Handbook, there are over 15 sourcebooks available to you once you join my campaign. As outlined here, you will need a character that you can play in both the planned prologue (2-session one-shot) and campaign proper (session 3+). Bring everything you have created (concept, record sheet, backstory, etc.) to Session 0, and send the PDF generated via D&D Beyond to me before Session 1. Even though you have many official resources available to you, the Player's Handbook is the best place to start any search related to your character. Note that we will not be using anything associated with the 2014 edition. You can, however, make use of alternate class definitions (including the ranger). Feel free to contact me before or after Session 0.

Campaign Schedule

Session 0 is on August 27 and gameplay starts a week later on September 3 (on a weekly basis). Note that your seat at the table is on a first come, first serve basis; first you will need to reach out by e-mail and then you will need to attend Session 0. Pay attention to when the next gameday is. Tentatively, I am scheduling gameplay on Wednesday mornings between 9am to 12 pm / 1pm.

Note: The campaign will start in

20 resources are available / Character Creation. Campaign Link. If you need any help, feel free to reach out to me.

Use of Foundry

Please download Foundry VTT ahead of the campaign. It’s a reliable, well-supported virtual tabletop that we’ll be using throughout gameplay. All dice rolls — unless specifically requested live — will be handled through Foundry VTT using the Beyond20 extension.

Although Foundry offers character creation tools, you’ll be building your character in D&D Beyond, where you’ll have access to 20 official Wizards of the Coast sourcebooks. When you send me an email to join my campaign, as noted above, you will receive an email with your Foundry account/password, a link to the campaign itself and instructions on selecting a 3rd party player token.

Intro to Foundry VTT

The Player's Guide to Foundry — A helpful walkthrough for getting started.

Use of Beyond20

Beyond20 is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that seamlessly connects your D&D Beyond character sheet with Foundry VTT, Roll20, and even Discord. It allows you to roll dice, display spell cards, show features, and share item details directly in the VTT chat.

Once installed, Beyond20 adds roll buttons to your D&D Beyond character sheet — abilities, skill checks, saving throws, weapon attacks, spells, and more—making virtual gameplay smooth and interactive.

How to Install Beyond20

Visit the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons and search for "Beyond20." Click "Add to Chrome" or "Add to Firefox" to complete the installation.

The following resources are also useful with respect to use of Beyond20:

• Beyond20 #1
• Beyond20 #2
• Beyond20 #3
• Beyond20 #3

Discord / One-Shot

Join your fellow players via Discord: discord.gg/7y7tMeTkDQ

Your character will be part of a party of five adventurers. While attendance at Session 0 isn’t strictly required to reserve a seat, it’s highly recommended. During that session, it’s a good idea to communicate with other players about your choice of race, class, and equipment. We’ll be using a combination of Discord, D&D Beyond, Beyond20, and Foundry VTT (in addition to this website) throughout the campaign.

As the early sessions, we’ll be playing a one-shot: “Festival at Voldrun.” When he contacted you in the City of Greyhawk, your mutual friend Jarvik suggested that you go there before heading to Gryrax. “An associate of mine named Barliman Azimar will provide you funds to buy equipment when you finally reach Gryrax.” (See the initial storyline for info re: what is approaching).

Summary

Each year, thousands travel to Voldrun to celebrate the Festival of the Red Dragon, commemorating those who defeated the beast that once terrorized the town. The event is held on the last day of the harvest and features strong ale, great food, and lively carnival games. This year marks the 25th anniversary—and with record attendance expected, it promises to be a celebration to remember. Especially when an unexpected guest shows up… with a monstrous appetite for human flesh.

Estimated Duration: 2 sessions (6–8 hours total)

Campaign Proper

The main part of the campaign will start in Session 3 right after the “one-shot”. Note that you will make use of your character throughout both the one-shot and the campaign itself; though unrelated, the one-shot will be loosely tied to the campaign

Initial Storyline

• 564 CY — Treasure & Slaves from the south arrived in the Flanaess. The party meets for the first time at a friend's wedding.
• 568 CY (February) - In February, your mutual friend, Jarvik, headed southward in search of "treasure." Who would be crazy enough to risk such a journey southward in February in 568 CY? Answer: Your Mutual Friend, Jarvis. Was he on to something regarding the Azure Sea? What was so important about the Valarian Empire?
• 568 CY (April) - You set off on your second adventure together, southward, like your mutual friend. Aware of the dangers ahead, you knew Jarvik’s proposed journey wouldn't be easy. Nevertheless, you all marched onwards. "In Voldrun, seek out Barliman Azimar. He'll provide you with funding."

Levelling Up: XP?

XP progression is the same as standard D&D except that level 11 starts at 82000 instead of 85000. The early levels progress faster than the higher levels. Advancement will follow milestone-based XP thresholds, not the default 5E XP chart.

Session 1 >> Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Session 2 >> Level 3, Level 4
Session 3 >> Level 4 ...

About 3-4 hours of gameplay will take place each session. In my campaign, levels are milestones in themselves. XP-based events/encounters are “fitted” within this framework. XP is awarded for more than just combat.Throughout the campaign you will all be rewarded XP and level up together.