The mariner campaign has a simple premise. A group of characters find themselves in possession of an ocean-faring sailing ship and they travel the world of Kyor in search of fortune and adventure. The campaign's short and episodic schedule will allow it to lean into a “western marches” style campaign, only on the high seas.

Each adventure will start with the stakes already set, forcing the player characters to act. This technique is a lot like a “smash opening” of a TV show.

Game sessions will run for three hours from 9:00am - 12:00pm on alternating Sunday mornings. I hope to start and end the game promptly, allowing us to get on with our day once the game ends. The campaign will last for twelve sessions - thirteen if you count session zero. It will run remotely over Google Meet using Roll20 for the tabletop. The dates are:

• Session 0
• Session 1
• Session 2
• Session 3
• Session 4
• Session 5
• Session 6
• Session 7
• Session 8
• Session 9
• Session 10
• March 7th, 2021
• March 21st, 2021

For voice and video chat, let's use Google Meet. Find the link below:

https://meet.google.com/qvy-khdw-zjj

In a worst case scenario, we’ve got a conference call permanently set up here:

1.218.548.1484 id:8675309#

For the tabletop, we will use Roll20. Find the link to that game here:

https://app.roll20.net/join/8585525/T7v7Zw

The Facebook messenger link is:

https://www.messenger.com/t/3253100614810002

The default rules for characters, feats, and spells should be from the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Xanathar's Guide. Any other rules or concepts may be considered, but it requires DM approval.

Players may create their character attributes using the point-buy system.

To create a hearty crew of heroic sailor types, characters may start the game at third level if they take at least one level of Fighter, Rogue, or Warlock. Players who don't want to play those classes, or don't want to multi-class may start at second level.

Characters may start with just about any basic equipment from the PHB they can carry with a cost not to exceed 50gp except for heavy armor which must be purchased or located during play of the game. Furthermore, the ship will have a collection of equipment available to all PCs to choose from.

For backgrounds, players may choose for their characters to originate form one of the geographic areas below or create their own place and situation of their own choice - it is a new world after all:

• The Imperial Island of Albion
• The Islands of Auria
• The Frostlands
• The Coven States of Mortu
• The Free Territories of Oaten
• The Wilds of Radavan

Clerics may choose from among the nine Old Daeva for the appropriate cleric domain. Alternately, players may choose to create a brand new pantheon for an origin that is unique to them.

Those with Warlock levels may choose from any of the patrons listed as Outer Daeva or create their own patron.

All player characters will gain a level before starting the 3rd, 6th, and 9th sessions.

• November 15th, 2020 - All player characters gain one level not to exceed 4th level
• December 27th, 2020 - All player characters gain one level not to exceed 5th level
• February 7th, 2021 - All player characters gain one level not to exceed 6th level

For influences for this campaign, you shouldn't have to go far.

• Movies: Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Mad Max
• Television: Firefly, Star Trek, Farscape, Bonanza
• Books: Moorcock's Young Kingdoms, Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser

• Running from the Empire ships
• Sea monsters or strange phenomena
• Forced to resupply from interesting locals on a remote island
• High seas heists
• Getting caught up in naval warfare as mercenaries
• Fighting off zombie pirate ships
• Sea hags
• Jobs for mysterious patrons
• Freeing the oppressed far from civilization