West Marches Campaign: Haven's Landing
Setting Overview
The New Continent
Three months ago, the mystical storms that had shrouded the continent of Veridian for over two centuries finally dissipated. Ancient texts spoke of a lost landmass rich with magical resources and forgotten civilizations, but it had been unreachable due to the perpetual tempests surrounding it. Now, with clear skies and calm seas, multiple organizations from the established kingdoms have pooled their resources to establish the first permanent settlement on Veridian's shores.
Haven's Landing
Haven's Landing stands as a beacon of civilization on the eastern coast of Veridian, where the first expedition ships found safe harbor in a natural bay. What began as a temporary basecamp has grown into a proper frontier town, serving as the launching point for all exploration into this mysterious new land. The town sits at the mouth of the Silverpine River, with dense forests stretching inland and a chain of unexplored islands visible on the horizon. Ancient stone ruins can be glimpsed through the treeline, their origins and purpose unknown.
Important: This is a West Marches style campaign
You form groups with other players, pick missions that look interesting, and figure out when you can all play together. You decide what the next session will be about - exploring ruins, mapping new areas, or hunting monsters. Once you've picked a mission and worked out timing with your group and me, I can prep that specific adventure. Missions are designed for one or a few sessions, so they work well for smaller groups.
How it works:
- Choose your mission: Look through the available contracts from the three organizations and pick what sounds fun
- Form your group: Team up with other players who want to do the same mission
- Propose dates: Suggest times when your group is free to play
- I prep: Once the mission and timing are set, I can focus on preparing that specific adventure
- Go play: Run your chosen mission with a session focused on what you picked
Organizations
The three organizations that founded Haven's Landing each serve vital roles in the settlement's survival and growth.
The Pioneer Company
Was instrumental in establishing the settlement and continues to maintain its security. Their focus centers on combat operations, defensive measures, and territorial expansion. They handle contracts involving monster hunting, area clearing, and defensive operations, while providing essential town services through their guard barracks, weapons training facilities, and fortification maintenance.
The Survey Guild
Takes on the crucial task of mapping and cataloging this new continent. Their expertise lies in exploration, survival techniques, and geographical discovery. They accept contracts for territorial mapping, resource location, and establishing safe travel routes, while operating the town's cartography office, supplying survival gear, and offering guide services to other expeditions.
The Scholars' Circle
Dedicates itself to studying the ancient ruins and magical phenomena scattered throughout Veridian. Their mission focus encompasses investigation, puzzle-solving, and research into the continent's mysteries. They handle contracts involving ruin exploration, artifact recovery, and the investigation of supernatural phenomena, while maintaining The Observatory research tower, providing magical item identification services, and offering consultations on historical and arcane lore.
Organizations
The Pioneer Company
Founded the settlement and maintains its security
- Mission Focus: Combat, security, expansion
- Contracts: Monster hunting, area clearing, defensive operations
- Town Services: Guard barracks, weapons training, fortifications
- Leader: Captain Mareth Stoneheart, a veteran of the Border Wars
The Survey Guild
Maps and catalogs the new continent
- Mission Focus: Exploration, survival, discovery
- Contracts: Territorial mapping, resource location, safe route establishment
- Town Services: Cartography office, survival gear, guide services
- Leader: Expedition Leader Kira Windrunner, former royal cartographer
The Scholars' Circle
Studies ancient ruins and magical phenomena
- Mission Focus: Investigation, puzzles, research
- Contracts: Ruin exploration, artifact recovery, phenomenon investigation
- Town Services: The Observatory (research tower), magical item identification, lore consultation
- Leader: Arcane Researcher Valdris Thornscribe, expelled from the Royal Academy for "dangerous curiosity"
Future Organizations
These organizations will show up as the town grows and your actions make sense for them:
- The Diplomatic Corps - Unlocked by first contact with intelligent natives
- The Merchant's Exchange - Unlocked by establishing stable trade routes
- The Artisan's Collective - Unlocked by discovery of rare materials/crafting techniques
- The Healer's Sanctuary - Unlocked by town population reaching critical mass
Character Creation Guide - Haven's Landing
Core Philosophy
I care more about creativity, adaptability, and smart play than optimal builds. Any character concept can work here, and I like seeing diverse groups figure out problems in different ways.
Character Rules
Races & Classes
- Any official D&D 5e race and class is fine
- Multiclassing: Go for it (use standard rules)
- Variant Human/Custom Lineage: Sure
- Optional Class Features: Use Tasha's optional features if you want
Ability Scores
- Point Buy (27 points) - Standard array works too if you prefer
- Starting Level: 1st level
- Starting Equipment: Class equipment + background equipment OR starting gold (your choice)
Backgrounds
- Any official background or we can work together to create a custom one
- Think about how your background connects to the expedition themes
Character Integration
The Expedition Background
The Veridian Expedition drew volunteers from across the known world. Everyone had their own reasons for leaving behind the familiar to venture into the unknown. Think about these questions:
Why Did You Join?
- Adventure Seekers: Seeking excitement and exploration of uncharted lands
- Researchers: Drawn by ancient knowledge and magical discoveries
- Fortune Hunters: Seeking wealth from untapped resources and forgotten treasures
- Fugitives: Running from debts, crimes, or unwanted responsibilities
- Idealists: Wanting to help build something new and better
- Exiles: Cast out or leaving behind a life that no longer fits
Organizational Interests
You're not locked into any single organization, but think about which one appeals to your character:
The Pioneer Company
- Do you value security and protection?
- Are you comfortable with direct action and combat?
- Do you want to help build and defend civilization?
The Survey Guild
- Are you curious about what lies beyond the next hill?
- Do you enjoy mapping, tracking, and navigation?
- Are you drawn to the wilderness and survival challenges?
The Scholars' Circle
- Do ancient mysteries and magical phenomena fascinate you?
- Are you patient enough for research and investigation?
- Do you enjoy solving puzzles and uncovering secrets?
Personal Goals
What does your character hope to achieve in Veridian? Here are some ideas:
- Prove yourself worthy after a past failure
- Find a missing relative who came on an earlier expedition
- Research a specific type of magic or ancient civilization
- Establish a trade route for a valuable resource
- Atone for past mistakes through heroic deeds
- Document the flora and fauna of this new continent
Character Creation Tips
Embrace Versatility
You'll run into different types of challenges here:
- Combat encounters with monsters and hostile forces
- Exploration of dangerous terrain and ancient sites
- Social interactions with fellow colonists and any natives you encounter
- Investigation of mysteries, puzzles, and ancient knowledge
Think Beyond Combat
Fighting is useful, but creative problem-solving can work too:
- A bard talking their way past hostile guards
- A druid using animal handling to tame local wildlife
- A rogue finding the hidden mechanism that opens the ancient door
- A wizard deciphering magical inscriptions
Consider Group Dynamics
You'll be playing with different people in different combinations. Keep in mind:
- Be collaborative - Your character should work well with others
- Be flexible - You might not always have the "ideal" party composition
- Be memorable - Give yourself distinctive traits that other players will remember
Practical Considerations
Life on the frontier means thinking about:
- Consider at least basic survival skills
- Think about how your character contributes to group travel
- Remember that supplies are limited and valuable
Character Progression
Group Advancement
All characters advance together as a group, regardless of individual session attendance. This ensures balanced gameplay and shared narrative progression - your character's power grows alongside Haven's Landing's development and the group's collective achievements.
Character Death
If your character dies, you can create a new character who joins at the same level as the rest of the group. Your new character arrives on the next supply ship or emerges from the wilderness, ready to continue the adventure.
Level Planning
Come to each session with your next level planned out (spells chosen, abilities selected, etc.), especially during early levels. Character advancement often happens during sessions when the group reaches major milestones, and we don't want to pause the story for lengthy character building.
Focus on Story
Progression is tied to meaningful campaign events rather than individual experience points. Every successful mission contributes to both your character's growth and the community's development.
Sample Character Concepts
The Academic Sellsword
Fighter/Wizard - University debts led to mercenary work
The Frontier Cartographer
Ranger - Dreams of mapping every inch of Veridian
The Redemption Seeker
Paladin - Seeks redemption by protecting the innocent
The Runaway Noble
Rogue - Fled arranged marriage to disappear into the frontier
The Mystical Researcher
Warlock - Made a pact for power but questions motives
The Community Builder
Cleric - Believes Haven's Landing can be better
Most Important Rule
Make a character you want to play and that everyone will enjoy having around.
Key Mysteries
The Great Silence
What happened to the previous inhabitants of Veridian? The ruins suggest a sophisticated civilization, but there are no records of contact before the storms began.
The Storm Barrier
What created the mystical storms that isolated Veridian for two centuries? Why did they suddenly stop?
The Calling Stones
Ancient stone markers found throughout the forest seem to resonate with magical energy. They appear to form some kind of network or communication system.
The Tide Lights
Strange lights that appear along Tidecaller Beach at low tide. Local marine life seems drawn to them, but approaching them directly proves... difficult.
Exploration Areas
Coastal Region
- Haven's Landing - The settlement itself
- Silverpine Coast - Rocky cliffs and hidden coves
- Tidecaller Beach - Wide sandy beach where strange lights appear at night
- The Harbor Islands - Close islands perfect for early exploration
Inland Territories
- Silverpine Forest - Dense woodland with ancient stone markers
- The Whispering Hills - Rolling highlands where voices carry on the wind
- Ruins of the First Watchers - Massive stone complex visible from the coast
- The Deep Interior - Unexplored mountains and valleys
The Island Chain
- The Scattered Isles - Dozens of small islands with unique features
- Storm's Rest - Large island where the mystical storms first broke
- The Floating Gardens - Islands that seem to drift with the tides
Campaign Themes
- Discovery over Conquest - Understanding rather than dominating
- Collaborative Progress - Multiple organizations working toward shared goals
- Mystery and Wonder - Every expedition reveals new questions
- Frontier Spirit - Building something new together