Once you have designed your Havokk environment and populated your world with various characters, locations, items, etc., from there the Lore Master should consider each of the individual player Heroes and how their characters would reasonably wind up working together in an ongoing Campaign format scenario. For the best results, it is recommended that you collectively discuss this as a group, so that all players feel included and that the specifics of their chosen Heroes are acknowledged. 

 

An Example Introduction:
 

…Mialee returns with four drinks to the table where Xavier, Avisary, and Maya are enjoying their meal for the evening. Xavier was as lively as ever, spouting off grand tales of accomplishments that generate a smirk from the corner of Avisary’s mouth and puzzled looks from Maya, quietly crunching her plate of greens and vittles

as she provided a courteous “nod and smile.”
 

Mialee was enjoying the company of these new companions. Her otherwise daily work is a tireless task: ongoing raids from the Chancellors of the Void leave many innocent people in danger, and her efforts to provide gold and food to refugees never seem like enough. She internally almost feels guilty for agreeing to embark on this quest with the three Heroes, but for a shot at stopping the Chancellors once and for all, she’ll do what she must.
 

“Maybe if I stop them, I’ll be able to save more lives,” she thinks to herself before getting snapped out of her thoughts by Avisary. 

“We’ll leave at first light, and I implore you to remember that Chimeraxion and its followers have plenty of reason to distrust outsiders. I believe he can sense our intent, but I know not what the others are capable of. We’ll need to proceed with caution," Avisary says to the group.

“Indeed. I have never felt ill intent from these beings in the past, but they are unpredictable at best.” Maya looks up from her meal. “I appreciate you taking on this task. I fear what these changes mean for Havokk.” A look of concern spreads across her face and she considers what path this quest may take them on.

“I fear what the Chancellors will do if we do not find a way to stop them,” Mialee cuts in. “-If Chimeraxion has a way to stop that, then that’s our play.” 

Xavier leans forward against the table. “Hey, if we don’t figure this out, it's all of Havokk that has to pay the price.” 

“Then we know what’s at stake,” Avisary responds. He rises from the table with the others. 

Mialee heads to her room for the night, a strange brew of excitement and fear forming inside her like a tempest. “Don’t worry, father, I’ll do what is right.” 
 

Once you have established your setting, the game begins as any other game would: a turn order is established, players draw their cards, and then in sequential order, the players take their turns. The course of the gameplay experience may change or have more “fluid” types of processing regarding specific events, meaning an example of this is when the Lore Master and playgroup may choose to resolve a social interaction without the use of specific turn structure, choosing instead to have a back-and-forth style conversation.

 

Or in a situation where the Party is in town and interacting with Merchants – this could be handled by an “out-of-game" style update to each player’s deck, if they are changing the game cards included to represent a change of equipment, learning new skills, or perhaps changing their overall strategy following a specific life event or change.

 

Throughout gameplay, if there are any questions or disputes about how any specific event should be resolved, work with the Lore Master to come to an agreeable resolution that works for all involved players.

The following is recommended for each of the following categories of gameplay, though to clarify, players may choose to actively include and use their game cards throughout all aspects of the gameplay experience:

Type of Gameplay / Event

Recommended Structure / Gameplay style 

Players and Characters interacting with NPC characters outside of combat-related scenarios

Turn-based role play. Cards are optional (but recommended). Follow the Campaign format rules.

Combat Related Events (Attacking, Blocking, declaring attacks, initiating attacks, etc.)

Card required. Follow the Campaign format rules.

Using Spellcraft (Playing Spell or Rituals, using a Spell or Ritual effect on a player or character)

Card required. Follow the Campaign format rules.

Using Skill cards

Card required. Follow the Campaign format rules.

Using Skills (Campaign Format / Non-Card)

Cards optional (but recommended).

Using Event cards

Card required. Follow the Campaign format rules.

Social interactions between characters (Hero or NPC and combinations thereof)

Cards optional (but recommended).

Using Items, exchanging items, or interacting with items.

Card required. Follow the Campaign format rules.

When the Player Party and Lore Master decide to end a specific game round, or when the round would end through normal gameplay, the Lore master awards experience points, gold, or other objects to the Player Party to then be used in the next game round. This process is different from the sequence of turns and phases, and there are no effects, abilities, or ongoing abilities that persist between game rounds.

 

The Lore Master may distribute rewards in whichever order they prefer, but we recommend the following to ensure that all rewards are distributed to players and provide them with the maximum beneficial effect to each player:
 

  • First, award Experience points. If a character’s level changes, this would affect their overall effectiveness and could change their selections of other rewards, as some items may no longer be useful to them once they have leveled up.
     
  • Next, award Gold. Any gold reward could also determine what the player needs or doesn’t need to go into the next game round.
     
  • Next, the award is Renown. Any amount of Renown points awarded could determine if the character or Player Party moves into a new tier and would therefore have the potential to receive additional bonuses to their next experience, such as shop discounts or influential bonuses.
     
  • Then, the party is awarded any Item cards or cards that may be used in the following game rounds (by including them in their decks, not that these Item cards carry over to the next round otherwise).
     
  • Finally, award any additional rewards the Lore Master has decided to provide or that the Party earned for completing the game round.
    • Examples of this would be NPC characters joining the Heroes at the beginning of the next game round, or saving an NPC from the Lore Master’s forces. You now get free cake upon request at a Village baker’s shop. Any award that is not one of the rewards mentioned above is typically distributed last.

 

After all rewards are distributed, the final step is recording player progress. This is a responsibility of the Lore Master, and when the next game round begins, they will confirm with each player where things are left off. It is recommended to use a written or digital log to track these values in between game rounds.

When the adventure has come to an end, as a whole, the Lore Master and Player Party will need to make an important decision about how these characters and their legacy are remembered. There are several plausible scenarios a Lore Master could consider following the epic conclusion to their story, It is recommended that you choose from one of the following scenarios:

However you decide to end your Campaign format adventure, it is important to thank and acknowledge those who participated. Any game or hobby requires a large commitment; whether it be money, time, or energy, remember that each player benefits from the effort that each puts into the experience. This is always worth thanking those individuals for improving their overall experience for everyone.

Using the Cards

Included in this section are the rules and descriptions associated with card-related elements and using the game cards themselves. Characters, Events, Items, Skills, Spellcraft are covered in more detail, and the rules corresponding to them.

 

Expanding your Realm

Included in this section are the resources related to non-card game elements, such as the Player leveling system, Alignments & Factions, Movement, and other related items.

 

Lore Master Rules

Included in this section are the resources available to Lore Masters, expectations for their rule, and recommendations on running Campaign Format adventures.