Introduction
Welcome to Yoma, The Empire of Monsters. Well...it's not really an empire right now. It's more of a small village. Yoma is the title of the nation where this small village resides.
Simply speaking, Yoma is a small village of monsters. We consist of Goblins, Hobgoblins, Kobolds, Lizardfolk, Orcs. It is strange to most adventurers that a group of different kinds of monsters can put their differences aside to work together. However, our homes were ravaged by the enemy. In the wake of this war, not many of our kind survived the war. We are the last of our kind. The leaders of each of these five tribes came together to create "The Council of Leaders." Under their management, we formed Yoma, a combined small village.
It won't be long before Yoma is wiped out. We need allies and to rebuild our peoples into one united front. It is this time we call out to any of our fellow peoples to come and aid this effort.
General Rules
There are many rules within Yoma, The Empire of Monsters. However, follow these simples rules and you should get along fine.
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This Server is a PG-13 Server. Please keep inappropriate NSFW items out of the server. This can include but not limited to: Nudity, Gore, or anything else that might come around these lines.
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Yoma, The Empire of Monsters uses a Honor system. There are a lot of moving parts and no true way to track it. Any signs of cheating will not be tolerated. Please be fair and don't cheat.
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No Spam - This includes but is not limited too, loud/obnoxious noises in voice, @mention spam, character spam, image spam, unnecessary messages in the RP channels and message spam.
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Toxicity, harassment, and discrimination in any form will NOT be tolerated. If there is a genuine issue with another player, whether its in or out of game, please privately let a DM know so we can handle the problem.
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PVP is not allowed on the Server. (YET!)
West Marches
Coined by "Ben Robbins" a West Marches style campaign follows a simple identity "There is no weekly game." It was designed to be the opposite of the weekly game. A West Marches game is designed to be played when you, the player, have time. There are several GMs that run games and govern the server.
Living Campaign
While at its core, we are using the West Marches idea. We are more of a living campaign. As sessions happen and days progress, many new things might address the small community. Tasks that will need to happen.
Our type of living campaign/west marches game has a main plot that can take a long time to complete. While these goals are top priority, this living campaign have many subplots that are often entwined. This living campaign has many rewards for those that work together as a community to build up the village of Yoma.
Suta, The Small Village
"Ah, you must be new around here. Welcome to the village of Suta. It's a small Utopia...or we'd like to call it a Utopia. Suta is not as perfect as we'd like. Well, enough of me rambling. I should show you around our current establishments."
Suta is the name of the village that the remaining members of the five tribes reside. As we the citizens of Suta, build up this village, our name shall change. In addition, more buildings will appear here as they are built. For starters, let's introduce you to the few buildings we have available to us as of now.
Town Hall
The main building of Suta is the "Town Hall". Suta doesn't have the sustainability, population, nor the reputation to house an Adventuring Guild. The Town Hall is the main place to obtain Important Quests from the Council of Elders. Just outside the Town Hall, Citizens can get tasks to undertake quests for the village. These quests tend to revolve around investing in different buildings or even diplomatic missions to neighborings nations.
Tavern
The second building is the Tavern. It is crucial to drink sorrows away. It also attracts small amount of adventurers and others that pass by. These people are usually not a trouble and have typically left us alone. At least for now.
The secondary feature of The Tavern is to explore possible Rumors that might come this way from those passing by Suta. Rumors can help explain mysterious events or special quests that might arise.
General Store
The third building located in Suta is the general store. Suta currently lacks the funds, building, and techniques to mass produce weapons and armors. This is where the general store comes in. Citizens might purchase items and even though it technically takes a bit of time to acquire them, the General Store takes the time to procure the items for those that request them.
Bunkhouse
Since there isn't as many buildings located in Suta, citizens share two houses. Typically, the houses are separated by male and females to keep it easier and to give both sexes their privacy should they need it. However, should Suta become larger the option for more housing can become available.
Warehouse
The warehouse is the final starting building located in Suta. It's main objective is to house resources and contributions to Suta itself. The more resources gathered by its citizens; the faster the village can grow. Typically, citizens of Suta don't have access to the Warehouse. However, in some cases special permissions can be granted.
Additional Buildings: Tier 1
These buildings are additional that can be built through contribution. Each building adds special things to Suta. More Buildings can be added over time.
Alchemist Shop
A place where citizens might purchase potions. This can including healing potions and other various remedies, poisons, and magical potions.
Benefits: Purchase of Common and Uncommon Healing Potions, Remedies, Magical Potions, and Poisons.
Arena
A place where citizens of Suta may fight each other for entertainment purposes. However, to follow the rules of Suta, you may not kill each other. Due to the magicks of the Arena, all damage is done as non lethal.
Benefits: Server Wide Supervised PVP
Contribution Requirement: 2,500 Gold
Embassy
Each Embassy is to different species and races. They deal with diplomacy between two or more different types of culture.
Benefits: This is one of the Requirements to Unlocking New Races. These typically cannot be purchased right away without earning favour with certain races.
Contribution Requirement: 5000 Each
Embassies that can be Built:
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Wolfkin
Blacksmith
A Blacksmith is capable of creating magical weapons and armor. In addition to being able to repair or sell other types of items.
Benefits: You can purchase Common and Uncommon Magical Armors and Weapons.
Contribution Requirements: 2,500 Gold.
Jail
A simple building that allows for Suta to imprison villains and other creatures that might be a threat to the Village or Empire.
Benefits: You can now imprison unconscious creatures you've fought.
Contribution Requirements: 2,500 Gold.
School
A school is set to increase education and knowledge within Suta. Any such education or knowledge can be used to improve oneself.
Benefits: You can now use downtime to learn a tool proficiency or a language.
Contribution Requirements: 2,500 gold.
Scroll Shop
Allows citizens to purchase scrolls. These scrolls are highly sacred and only carries a small selection. They are considered Holy Text.
Benefits: You can now purchase Common and uncommon Scrolls.
Contribution Requirements: 2,500 Gold.
Stables
Stables keeps track of mounts and pets within Suta. The Stables can house mounts for those that do not have their own home.
Benefits: You can purchase Different types of Mounts and Pets. You may also house your mounts and pets. Each person is allotted One Mount and Two Pets.
Contribution Requirement: 2,500 Gold
Tailor
Tailors of Suta can craft cloaks, gloves, and other outfits. Tailors are able to craft most wondrous items that are considered to be clothes.
Benefits: You can purchase Cloaks, Gloves, Boots, and other items that fit this type of category. In addition, you may purchase Common and Uncommon Rarity of these items as well.
Contribution Requirement: 2,500 Gold.
Tinkerer
Tinkerer are capable of crafting magical items that don't fall in the category of Blacksmith or Tailor. Typically, these are wondrous items.
Benefits: You can purchase Common or Uncommon magical items that don't qualify for Blacksmith or Tailor.
Contribution Requirement: 2,500 Gold.
Character Creation
Yoma, The Empire of Monsters have their own guidelines for character creation. Follow these simple rules and you will be able to create a character that fits in with this theme. If you have any questions during Character creation feel free to @Dungeon Master in the #Questions Channel
Character Sheet
Once you've joined the main Roll20, you will have access to create your own sheet. In the Roll20 Chat box simply type: !charsheet This should make a sheet that only you can control and edit. However, the character itself will be viewable in everyone's journal.
Finish claiming this character sheet by adding a name to the character and an image. When you are finished building the character, we can discuss token options.
Alignment
Suta isn't your typical campaign as many monstrous races (even though they are not "inherently" evil) are available, we are allowing the Evil alignment. However, this is a privilege and one that can be revoked. Remember, you are trying to survive as a village. You and the rest of the citizens must come together to create a home. Evil also has different meanings, use your head.
Level
Yoma, The Empire of Monsters uses a Milestone-eque leveling system. The server levels up at the same time. You may find the Server's level at anytime in the #Server-Level Channel. There may be extra activities that the citizens of Suta may undertake to improve the level of the Server.
Age
All PCs created must be at least the adult age or older of their race at the start of play.
Hit Points
To keep all Players on an even playing field, we use the Average Hit Point Rules. There will not be any rolling for any HP.
Ability Scores
Players use the 27 Point Buy system as described in the Player's Handbook. For an easy calculator, you may build your character use this Link
Starting Equipment
As a player, you will start with your classes' starting equipment. In addition, you will receive an extra 200 Gold Pieces Until your character has been approved do not spend any gold that you have received from your background or the 200 you received for starting.
Finishing Touches
Once your character has been approved. You will be requested to add your character to this document. This keeps a running record of all characters currently in Yoma, the Empire of Monsters.
Free Respec
Each Character once approved has 1 Respec. This Respec can be used to change your character as if you were building it from scratch. However, your character's identity must still be intact.
Approved Content
Before we go directly into the sources that are approved in this West Marches, we must declare the currently allowed Monstrous Races that may join the Ranks of Suta.
- Goblins
- Hobgoblins
- Kobold
- Lizardfolk
- Orc
These races come straight from Volo's Guide to Monsters. Please note that any race that has a -2 in a stat has been eratta'd.
Special Note: These won't be the only races allowed in Suta. As time progresses, more races will be added to this list. As Suta grows, the more likely other races will want to invest in the small town.
Eventually, non monstrous races such as Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and more will be available. However at this time, they are not available.
- Player's Handbook (PHB)
- Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (SCAG)
- Elemental Evil Player's Companion (EEPC)
- Volo's Guide to Everything (VGM)
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything (XGE)
- Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (Currently Unavailable)
- Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica (Currently Unavailable)
- Eberron Rising from the Last War (ERWL) (Currently Unavailable)
- Explorer's Guide to Wildemount (EGTW) (No Backgrounds allowed)
- Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (TCE) (Custom Lineage is not allowed)
Any content that has been approved must use the latest iteration. For example Bladesinger from SCAG is replaced by TCE's Bladesinger.
Approved UA and Additional Materials
Barbarian
- Matt Mercer's Path of the Juggernaut
Bard
- College of Spirits
- College of Maestro
- College of Creation
- College of Satire
Matt Mercer's Blood Hunter (2020)
- Order of the Ghostslayer
- Order of the Mutan
- Order of the Profane Soul
- Order of the Lycan
Cleric
- Protection Domain
- Matt Mercer's Blood Domain
Druid
- Circle of Twilight
Fighter
- Matt Mercer's Gunslinger
- Brute Martial Archetype
- Monster Hunter Martial Archetype
- Scout Martial Archetype
- Sharpshooter Martial Archetype
Monk
- Matt Mercer's Cobalt Soul
Paladin
- Oath of Trechery
Ranger
- Drakewarden
- Primeval Guardian
- Revised
Sorcerer
- Pyromancy Origin (May Substitute Fire for Cold or Lightning)
- Matt Mercer's Rune Child Origin
- Giant Soul Origin
- Phoenix Origin
- Sea Origin
- Stone Origin
Warlock
- Raven Queen Patron
- Seeker Patron
- Undead Patron
Wizard
- Theurgy
Downtime Activities
Yoma, the Monstrous Empire, uses a limited sort of Downtime. It is to make it one less resource to have to manage. You may spend your downtime to do the following:
Shopping
You may spend time shopping. In order to purchase an item, the selective shop must have it. If you are purchasing Mundane items that can be found in the PHB that costs less than 100 gold, you don't need to let us know. Anything more than 100 gold must be posted in the: #Downtime Channel
Shopping
Name: Insert Character Name
Downtime Activity: Buying Items
Item(s) Bought: Insert Item Name
Cost: Total Price of Items Purchased
Special Note
You cannot purchase horses, mounts or pets at this time. This does require the Stables to be purchased. The Beast Master Hunter's Companion and Familiars are exempt from this rule.
Crafting a Magical Item
We use the standard XGE rules for Crafting Magical Items. Except with one small caveat. Increase the cost to make a magical item by 50%. This is to replace the Downtime Requirement that XGE possesses.
To Craft please post this formula into #Downtime
Crafting Magical Items
Name: Insert Character Name
Downtime Activity: Crafting
Tool Used/Enchanting: Specify which artisan's tools you're using or if you're enchanting an item.
Items Crafted: Insert item name
Cost: Total Cost in Gold.
Preparing/Undefined
Anyone who wants to spend their downtime to do something outside of a session must do so in the #Downtime Channel. Any precasting of spells or other things must be announced before using them.
Preparing/Undefined
Name: Insert character name
Downtime Activity: Preparing
Description: Insert brief description of the Downtime Activity
Cost: Insert costs if any (Eg. spell slot)
Benefit: Insert the Downtime Activity benefits
Contributions
Name: Insert Character Name
Downtime Activity: Contribution to (Whatever Building)
Cost: Total Gold you are spending on Contributing
The Community
There are many other additional resources such as Frequently Asked Question, Roleplaying Rules, and Discord Guidelines. Please makes sure to follow any rules that exist in this guidebook.
Roleplaying Guidelines
Roleplay is about getting to explore your characters and the world outside of a session. There are many ways to have good roleplay, but here are a few guidelines.
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"Yes, and" it's the key to good improvisation and roleplay (Since most of it is improvisation)
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"It's not all about you!" Interact with others, explore this world together.
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Put your character's thoughts and actions in italics, their words in "", and OOC comments in ( ).
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Timescale is can be funky. Be understanding if someone happens to be working or can't respond.
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Don't be afraid to be light hearted, or dramatic.
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If you want a more in-depth description of the place you're in, don't be afraid to @ a DM to help set the scene.
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Don't be afraid to seek out NPCs or PCs for RP
Discord Guidelines
As a community we do have a few rules and guidelines that encompass every chat in the server.
- Try to stick to the appropriate chats.
- Don't post NSFW media.
- No rape jokes.
- No bullying.
- No political arguments. Take it to PMs.
- Don't be a creep.
- Don't be a jerk.
- Don't speak ill of other players.
- Do not argue with a DM, concerning a ruling, a rule's enforcement, etc.
- Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a warning or ban from the server.
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently None. Will Add to this as time presents itself.
Practice
Safe
Homebrewing
People love to flex their creative muscles while composing new homebrew content. More often than not, the inspiration for you homebrew comes from another source. Sometimes significantly. Other times just as a spark.
What is important for the community is that you share your sources of inspiration. This back cover can serve as an easy to find, easy to read place for you to do just that.
So go ahead, remove this chunk of copy and tell everyone who inspired you.
Cover Art: Skiorh
When you're ready to share with the community, don't forget to mark your document as public so people can find it in the GM Binder Search
More Credits
Maybe you have so many people to give credit to that you need a bit more space. Well, you can use this column to do exactly that!