The continent of Y'shara is in crisis. The world is on the brink of famine as crops inexplicably fail and food reserves are beginning to run low. Aberrations mysteriously appear to terrorize the commonfolk as the nations' militaries watch their borders in fear of their neighbors. The Empress has fallen into a coma and the Great Empire of Llanfar is in upheaval. The ceasefire between the Empire and the kingdoms of Rugard, Altaris, and Caerlon is a hair's breadth away from complete collapse. The legends speak of a world filled with magic and wondrous civilizations, but the legends paint a very different picture than the world of today. Magic has all but vanished and there are so few that can oppose the monstrosities rising up from the shadows and the gods seem to have fallen silent to the people's prayers.
There's trouble in the village of Smoak. Several children have gone missing and a search party was able to locate only one. The sole survivor was found as a hostage to the witch in the nearby forest. Even worse, the child has been tainted with foul magicks and refuses to speak ill of the witch. The characters are members of the Order of the Hunt and have been hired to slay the witch to stop the kidnappings, and to rescue any surviving children.
You have been journeying on the Old Smoak Road from the Rugard. You have entered the Shale Wood, the forest surrounding the village of Smoak. From word you've gathered along the way, you're about a day's travel from Smoak and are keeping an eye out for the Salo River, where you will take the right fork to arrive at the village.
You've been told to go to Smoak and seek out the village elder, Janshai Cartwright, at the Broken Axle to get more details about the situation.
Characters begin at 3rd level with an array of 16, 15, 14, 12, 10, 8. You can choose character options from any official source book.
You can use the “Customizing Your Origin” feature from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.
You can use the "Origin" section from Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition.
Characters get maximum HP rolls at level ups.
Your character has joined with your companions to complete jobs accepted through the Order of the Hunt.
Build well-rounded characters able to interact with the denizens of Y'shara, complete bounties from the Order, and survive any Monstrosities you may encounter along the way.
Your characters have come together through your membership of the Order of the Hunt. Your group patron for the mission goes by the name of Peregrine. Whoever they are, they don’t communicate directly. They always send messages via couriers or letters sealed once with Order's insignia and again with a falcon. No one in the guild knows who Peregrine is, or if they do, they aren’t telling you. Regardless, Peregrine's information is good, and they pay on time.
The adventure features themes of darkness, murder, paranoia, and persecution. This adventure may contain graphic scenes of kidnapping, mental assault, torture, ritual sacrifice, gore, parasitic invasion, physical violence towards children, and physical violence towards animals.
Lines. This game will not contain unwanted sexual contact, intra-party violence, or intra-party betrayal.
Veils. Consensual sex will be “veiled” off-screen.
If any adjustments need to be made, please feel free to speak up. And if at any time you don’t feel comfortable with the content or direction of the game, say “pause for a second” and we will stop the game and address your concerns.