I have three campaign pitches for Draw Steel. The final release is releasing in June. The game is feature complete and playable, but only as a text-only PDF for now. It’s waiting for the art and layouts to make it more enjoyable. If people are eager, we can start a campaign earlier. Here are my three pitches.
All three are set in 12337 at different corners of Mor-Thir. Last pitch is the most open/dependent on player backstories for a clean start with a new system, the other two are continuation of existing stories and lore. Knowledge of the world is not needed but may help in deciding campaign and characters.
Extra lore
The year is 12337, our setting is on the continent of Mor-Thir, home to four nations; Covania, Reton, Oxtrad, and Greyhawk. Covania, Reton, and Oxtrad are in a super alliance known as the Royal Conglomerate which was formed when a demonic invasion known as the Ashlem War occurred 65 years ago, leading to outlawing of Tieflings, Aasimar, Changelings and Dragonborn, however 14 months ago all but Tieflings were absolved of their outlawing but many are still subjected to prejudiced by the public, their freedom in part because of the Greyhawk rebellion which declared their independence from Reton and claiming themselves as a safe place for all, including Tieflings. We begin in the southern region of Covania, a nation formed ~3,500 years ago in a war known as the Dragon Crisis, where a militia grew to a large army and in a 200 year long war overthrew their Dragon overlords.
Ascension of Narkul
Continuing Rise of Narkul & rebooting 5e Ascension of Narkul
The Fellowship of the Alicorn failed. The Lich King Narkul walks Felwind once more. The Reton Empire and Greyhawk Independence locked in political struggles, neither addressing the growing threat. Now the town of Redkiln has gone silent and you’ve been tasked with investigating.
Full pitch
During early 12335 a group of adventures discovered an artifact known as the Hand of Narkul, and a plan by the Cult of Narkul to bring about the return of Lich King Narkul from a nearly 1,600 year banishment. The group failed to stop the return and the group reformed themselves into the Fellowship of the Alicorn, lead by Ironhide, a Gnome Paladin to the Goddess Ulaa, the Fellowship discovered Dyndryd’s lair, Narkul’s closest ally. After a devastating encounter in the lair killing Ironhide and resurrected him as an undead servant, Delta pledged her services to Narkul in exchange for sparing the remaining members of the Fellowship. Many of the Fellowship split and went their own ways, with only a few regrouping to plan their next move to stop Narkul's plot to claim the nation of Reton as his own.
It is now Seedmoot 12337. First month of the year, Spring is reviving the lush green landscapes of Greyhawk, 14 months after declaring its independence from Reton. Politics between the Greyhawk Republic and the Reton Empire backed by the larger Royal Conglomerate are still tense as both sides patrol the borders, slowing trade and travel between the nations but these tensions are slowly easing.
After the actions and exile of Blinding Spear, only Tieflings remain outlawed within nations under the Conglomerate’s rule, however the damage has already been done. Despite being pardoned, Dragonborn, Changelings, and Aasimar are still seen as a lesser race among most of the population of the Royal Conglomerate.
Urban Intrigue
Based off and continuing events and lore built from Blackfyre
Sunwood is a city of power and corruption, factions vie for control of the streets and shadows. As tensions rise, the city’s foundations rumble as old foes threaten to resurface. Will you fight for justice, try to take control for yourself, or will the city consume you? Welcome to Sunwood, Greatest City in all Mor-Thir.
Full pitch
The city of Sunwood, it's officials claim it is the “Greatest City in all Mor-Thir” but corruption runs deep in it's warring factions fighting for control. The Sunguard, the King's personal army roam the streets with impunity using bureaucracy to justify their actions. The Gold Alliance, the city's official bank and trade authority buys out competitors and has it's own field of mercenaries on their payroll, their largest rival the Chained Anchors run the port authority and a large militia to guard the port and their assets.
Remon's Academy, the continent's largest arcane school, carefully watches the balance of power, tipping the scales in their favour. The Temple of Tyr and many other churches vie for control over the people, growing their influence. The Silver Band, the people you go to, to get jobs done professionals for the people, if you can afford them. Delve further underground and you'll find the Torment of Claws, every other 'unsavory' guild seems to have disappeared when the Claws got their foothold, you need information or someone to go on a trip? Seek out the Claws.
As all the factions toil away at each other, the city's foundations rumble, built a top the corpses on dragons during the Dragon Crisis and hardened during the Ashlem War against the Hells, outside forces simmer beneath wishing to tear the city down. What ever you seek you'll find it here. Welcome to Sunwood, Greatest City in all Mor-Thir!
Player Adventure
Fresh start - below is to help with ideas and reason to meet if needed
A sudden and violent illness has claimed the life of the esteemed Lady Mondegreen. Mourners and opportunists gather in the coastal city of Rairest for her funeral. Whether or not you knew her, the Lady’s funeral marks the start of something far greater.
Full pitch
We begin in Rairest, a coastal city in Harburns Woods region of Covania. You’ve been invited to a funeral, that of Lady Mondegreen who was notable not just in her political strength within Rairest but her kindness and hospitality was known far and wide. She died from a sudden and rapid illness that began a month ago. At her funeral it seems all kinds have gathered, from family, to nobility, politicians, mages, criminals, and priests. Whether a mourner, an opportunist, or just passing by to pay respect. It is up to you how you knew (or didn’t know) Lady Mondegreen, why you are attending, coming from near or afar, and if you know other guests or complete strangers. But her death and your gathering has set events in motion that will change your lives forever.
Draw Steel is: Tactical meaning played on a grid, taking turns, strategy and teamwork is encouraged. Heroic think Hercules, Robin Hood, Merlin, Aaragon, larger than life characters that overcome impossible odds. Cinematic like the legends and stories around our heroes, they're dramatic and powerful, the game invites you to think theatrically. Fantasy the game is set in a world of sword and sorcery, you know what fantasy is. (I hope)
Coming from D20: Attacks automatically deal damage, no longer roll and miss your turn you're always making progress and so is the enemy just a matter of who is making progress faster. You don't need to rest all the time, in draw steel resting is used to regain stamina and recoveries, and to convert victories to xp, there are no spell slots or limited resources. Character options are different, I recommend before forming character ideas in your head based on 5e, we'll go through the classes and ancestries, be inspired by them rather than trying to make your desired 5e class in Draw Steel. (See Character Creation quick steps and Ancestry art & introductions).
Game Core whenever you make an attack, use an ability, make a resistance roll, or general test you make a Power Roll which is 2d10+Characteristic. Results are 3 tiered, lowest is 11 or lower, mid is 12 to 16, and highest is 17 or higher. When rolling a natural 19 or 20 you crit and lets you take an additional action immediately after. Your characteristics or abilities are Might, Agility, Reason, Intuition, and Presence.
Stamina not health Winded is half of max, dying is below zero, dead is negative value of your winded value. Recoveries heal a third of your max health.
Skills Smaller bonuses and lots of skills, most of the time you'll only receive a bonus or penalty of 1 or 2 and there a ton of skills, in skill tests you pick what is relevant to apply as skills aren't tied to abilities, for example you could request to make a presence ability check and add your climbing skill to impress the duke with a story of how you climbed the mesas of the cunning expanse.
