Dread Realms: Falkovnia

The days of the living are numbered in Falkovnia. The people would flee if they could, taking their chances in the Mists, but they aren’t allowed that choice. The military has turned against the people, making them prisoners within their own country. With cudgel and pike, the soldiers of Falkovnia force every commoner into grueling labor, rushing them to raise fortifications and scrape scrawny roots from the dirt. Every lash strike, every day of meager rations is necessary—or so the soldiers claim—because time is short and the dead are coming.

Falkovnia is a land besieged. Empty countryside surrounds ruined or crumbling cities. A few desperate pockets of civilization survive, carrying on not out of hope, but out of fear of the land’s merciless soldiers. Led by General Vladeska Drakov, Falkovnia’s military organizes a desperate and occasionally effective defense against an implacable foe: the ever-growing armies of the dead.

Every month a new zombie legion issues from the Mists. Never emerging from the same place twice, the horde sweeps across the land, drawn to the densest populations of the living. That’s currently the Falkovnian capital of Lekar, where unfit and underfed conscripts defend crumbling walls alongside General Drakov and her crimson-armored elite soldiers, the Talons. Causalities stack up during the zombie sieges, but miracles and moments of valor have not abandoned Falkovnia. The people’s numbers dwindle, but they soldier on.

In the aftermath of an attack, the Falkovnians burn their dead, repair what they can, and whisper that now might be the time to flee. Invariably, though, someone speaks too loudly and a so-called traitor is impaled upon Lekar’s walls. The people might want to abandon their homes, but Vladeska Drakov will not know defeat.

Players will be thrust into one of Ravenloft's most brutal Realms of Dread, Falkovnia, and will be forced to contend with monsters both living and dead. Expect tough moral and ethical decisions, survival mechanics, overwhelming odds, and those classic zombie/gothic horror tropes — with a few surprises along the way!

This campaign will take characters from 1st — 10th level, with potential for more should the desire exist.

This game will focus heavily on three main elements of play: survival, socialization, and combat (~20/40/40 split):

• Survival will mainly deal with the management of rations, marching order, and levels of exhaustion; each will be pivotal to ensure success, for the lands of Falkovnia are ravaged by conflict and pestilence.
• Socialization will focus on the interpersonal aspects of the party and their reputation with certain factions throughout Falkovnia. Who do you trust? Who trusts you? Etcetera. In lands so harsh as these, altruism is often a death sentence. Yet, brutality seldom makes the kind of friends you want hanging around. Balancing a cold and bleeding heart will be crucial.
• Combat will be plenty, and you can expect to encounter odds both surmountable and not. Understanding when and where it is necessary to fight will keep the party from a lot of unnecessary suffering. Permanent injuries, potentially even death, are all that await the hasty and reckless.

Thematically, Falkovnia is a bleak and unforgiving domain, where silver-linings are few and far between. Grimdark is probably the best umbrella term to encapsulate its pervasive misery. However, I've a personal love of black comedy and meta humor so expect sprinkles of both throughout the campaign. Players who can appreciate classic D&D quirkiness will be right at home.

Which rulebooks are allowed?

You can use the rules found in the Player’s Handbook, the Basic Rules, and all the books listed below.

• Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft (VRGtR)
• Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons (FTD)
• Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (MMoM)
• Xanathar’s Guide to Everything (XGE)
• Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (TCE)
• Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos (SCC)
• Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (SCAG)

As well, the following variant or optional rules are available:

• Customizing Your Origin (TCE)
• Optional Class Features (TCE)
• Variant Human Traits (PH)

You may also choose the following subclasses from unofficial material:

• Blood Hunter (Mercer)
• Gunslinger (Mercer)

Starting Level: 1st level

Alignment Requirement: Preferably good. Other alignments will be considered with an exceptional application.

Starting Equipment: You will start with the basic equipment given to you by your class and background. You can sell starting equipment using the rules in the PH and can buy equipment found in the PH or available rules. NOTE: pay attention to rations, camping supplies, encumbrance, etcetera, for they will factor into the game's survival-light mechanics.

Ability Scores: Roll for stats in the designated thread. Alternatively, if your results are abysmal then you can opt for 27-point buy.

Hit Points: Maximum at 1st level, roll for each level after.

Backgrounds: Any from the source books listed above or any from the material in the Character Creation tab. Customizing existing backgrounds is allowed but must be approved by the DM.

Character Submissions: You will also need to start a thread in the Applications thread for your submission. Questions about character creation can be forwarded here.

Application Deadline: September 30th, 2023 (12:00pm CST)

Post Requirements: Minimum posting rate of two or more times per week.

Party Size: Looking for 4-6 players. Variance based on application quality and/or interest level.

Other Requirements:
- I'm looking for interesting, thoughtful posts that work the scene forward. What is your character thinking, doing and saying in relation to the current events!

- There will be times where fighting isn't the best option. Take hints of danger seriously, and don't be afraid to do a little research if you're afforded time to do so.

- Rule-of-Cool reigns supreme. I'm not a rules lawyer, though I like to think I know them well, so feel free to experiment or be the daredevil we all know you are.

- You're welcome to play with the scenery unless otherwise stated. Uncertain? Just ask!

Can I submit more than one character?
You must have a primary character first and foremost; if desired, you may have one (1) backup character in addition to your primary. Both will be kept under the same application topic, that of the one created and named after your primary.