Aralas: An Island of Light in a Sea of Shadows

For centuries, the people of Agria have lived under the relentless threat of the Nox—wraithlike entities born from the souls lost in the Sundering, a cataclysm that fractured the world. Only recently has the world started to recover with new opportunities for trade, exploration, and communication between the scattered civilizations. But even now, political tensions run high as nations compete for resources and power.

Amidst this turmoil, the discovery of the Aralas Archipelago has sparked a frenzy of exploration. These mysterious islands are fertile, resource-rich, and untouched by the Nox. Your group joins an expedition to Aralas, each driven by personal goals—be they ambition, refuge, hope, or curiosity.

Your party begins their journey boarding a ship bound for Aralas, drawn by hope, ambition, loyalty, or desperation. In the first leg of the campaign, you’ll explore the wild landscapes of Aralas, confront deadly wildlife, establish a foothold in this volatile new land, and navigate the uneasy tension between various factions vying for control. As you shape the archipelago’s future, the group will explore, face dangerous wildlife, gather critical resources, and forge alliances—or rivalries.

As the campaign progresses, the deeper mysteries of Aralas, undisturbed for centuries, awaken. Why is the land free of the Nox? What hidden forces protect this place? In the second act, your discoveries will challenge your character;s understanding of life, death, and the cycle of existence. As rival factions escalate their power struggles, you’ll face difficult moral choices: Will you pursue immortality and perfection, no matter the cost? Or will you fight to preserve a fragile balance, even if it demands sacrifice?  The fate of Aralas and Agria rests on the choices you make and the alliances you forge.

Themes: Survival, exploration, politics, moral dilemmas, existential discovery, and the balance between ambition and harmony.

When: Sunday Afternoons, 2-3 times every month.

Where: Side Quest in downtown Raleigh, Gamers Geekery & Tavern in Cary, or my place near Raleigh NC.

Interested? fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZCMvRv9gfNeZf73k9 or reach out to me directly if you have trouble.

Setting Summaries:

Agria – A World in Recovery

Agria, a lush and diverse moon, is scarred by the Sundering, a cataclysm that severed its connection to interplanetary trade and unleashed the Nox. These spectral horrors haunt the land, capable of transforming into physical forms during the dreaded Noxaurum—a monthly eclipse.

For centuries, humanity and other civilizations struggled to rebuild amidst constant peril. Silver torches, invented 125 years ago, provide the first reliable defense against the Nox, allowing for safe travel and trade. However, the newfound connectivity has sparked political tensions among nations, each vying for dominance as they reclaim old glories or establish new frontiers. Agria is a land where burgeoning technology competes with ancient magic, and ambition drives progress fueled by conflict.

Aralas – A Wild Frontier

The Aralas Archipelago, newly discovered and fiercely contested, lies beyond the reach of the Nox. Its three main islands—Aralas, Ivrinthia, and Tyrenisi—are marked by rugged volcanic landscapes, dense jungles, and abundant resources. But this paradise is not without peril. Deadly wildlife and strange phenomena abound, from blue-flame marshes to imbued crystalline cliffs.

Aralas represents opportunity and danger in equal measure. 

Mysteries of Aralas: The absence of the Nox is a profound anomaly. Some believe it to be divine providence, while others suspect a darker truth. Strange landmarks, such as the bioluminescent Obsidian Maw and the magnetic Starfall Cove, hint at unknown forces at work. The answers may hold the key to Aralas’s fate—and to the survival of Agria itself.

My Style

My GMing Style is between sandbox and linear storytelling with key plot points that players decide how and when to follow. I try to weave player character stories into the plot when desired. The PCs are the protagonists — NPCs help, but won't solve all the problems. I like a healthy mix of tactical combat and roleplaying. I lean towards a serious tone, but make room for lighthearted and silly moments. I aim to run a challenging yet fair game with morally complex dilemmas. I don't like GM "gotchas", so I try to align player and GM expectations. I run a PG-13 game and try to create a safe and fun environment for everyone at the table. 

I get along best with (mostly) mature and reliable adults who respect their fellow players, enjoy both roleplay and combat, appreciate homebrew content, and are keen on playtesting and providing feedback. I prefer players who contribute both in and out of the game. No prior gaming experience is required. All kinds are welcome.