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2016 saw unprecedented levels of natural disasters: earthquakes, wildfires, floods, hurricanes worldwide. There were strange sightings and unexplained phenomena taking place with increasing frequency. Scientists point to an unexplained rise in earth’s high energy field
On the 21st of december 2016 hundreds of thousands of gates open all over the earth, in nearly every nation, some beneath the earth, some in the oceans, some high in the sky. Through these gates, for 16 hours stream millions of beings, the Shadowkind.
The Shadowkind explain that they are refugees coming from a dying world and that in exchange for being given space to live, they will share magic that can mend many of the world’s ills and more than repay their hosts for their kindness.
Most nations accept the bargain and begin creating enclaves where the Shadowkind can live and practice their arts. Magical products begin to arrive in local markets benefitting all walks of life.
One of the largest Shadowkind enclaves in the continental United States is located in Detroit and is linked to a similar enclave located in Windsor Ontario. This enclave actually consists of several distinct enclaves that host groups of Shadowkind who view themselves as separate nations. Each nations is composed of a multitude of races that work together based on similar values and goals.
Shadowkind enhancement syndrome. 2% of people who were within a km or two of the portals when they opened were found to have an unusual reaction where they found their abilities and capacities heightened. These humans are also more likely to be able to learn magical arts. One of the more immediate effects is an increased healing speed
The arrival of the Shadowkind fundamentally changed reality on earth. It created access points between elemental planes. This allows magical effects native to earth to manifest independent of the shadowkind. This also includes divine effects including those of deities of the Shadowkind and faiths on earth. Wherever sufficient belief manifests deities will respond to the call.
Players will begin as humans (with Shadowkind enhancement syndrome) using any class form the book, altered as per d20 modern supplement and modern magic supplement. Access will be granted to other races based on in-game contact with said races (half elves and half-orcs, do not yet exist in this setting). Backgrounds should be adjusted to match more modern, contemporary careers.
Ability array will be standard 15-14-13-12-10-8. Max hit points at first level. Multiply starting gold by 10 for how much cash your character has at the start of the game. Keep in mind that at this stage only characters who have a background in the military or law enforcement would have legal use of firearms. With the Arrival of Shadowkind enchanted archaic weapons and armor have made firearms less useful in many situations than they might have previously.
I don't plan on updating the skill list. If your career would reasonably have you knowing something or being trained in a specific skill or task, then you know it. Skills will mostly cover contests and opposed tasks, we can abstract those or rely on pure ability checks. Unless the need becomes obvious I don't plan on changing the skill list.
The campaign takes place 4 years after the Arrival of the Shadowkind. characters will be taking part in an on-the-job interview for the Lollard detective agency. The Lollard detective agency has made a name for itself by being willing to deal with Shadowkind in ways that many people and even law enforcement would prefer to just steer clear of.
Characters will be faced with a choice of cases to investigate, largely these will break down into investigative-rp cases and more combat intensive cases.
I'm also looking for input on adapting the systems. If you have ideas for spells, magic items, race/class adaptations or anything else please let me know.
About myself. I post between 9-5 Monday to Friday Eastern time. I post often during these times and seldom outside of them. If there are enough interested players I will split the table as necessary. I run my combats through ditzie, where a map is required. I do most of my rolls through random.org and usually just post the results in the thread. I do block initiative. I'll roll for you, list the characters that go before the mobs, wait for people to post, then post what the mobs do and give the slowpokes their turn. I'm always open to changing my mind so if you have a different idea than mine, please share it with me. When I run a game, I run it for the players and encourage them to participate in world building just as much as I do.