Duck Pond

Welcome to Karmikos, a living‑world sandbox TTRPG where you drive the story. You choose the quests that matter, set the session dates, and rally your companions, while the Game Master weaves a persistent world that reacts to every decision. The setting is a re‑imagined version of the Known World’s Grand Duchy of Karmicos, adapted for my group and played using the free Basic Fantasy RPG rule set.

Enter the wild frontier of Karmikos, where heroes clash with monsters and politics alike.

The Grand Duchy of Karmikos is a sprawling, untamed corner of Mystara, steeped in legend, home to heroic warriors, fearsome monsters, and ancient mysteries. Whether you’re hunting fairies in wild glades, battling beasts in the deep woods, or navigating the political clash between the proud Traladaran and the imperialist Thyatians, adventure awaits. Pack your gear, set out, and perhaps one day you’ll claim the title of lord of these lands!

About Me – The DM

I’ve been running tabletop games for over fifteen years. I love crafting sandbox worlds that feel truly alive, letting players drive the story while I move the pieces behind the scenes to keep things fresh and exciting. My style leans toward classic, high‑risk/high‑reward play, the kind of game where every decision matters. I focus on giving players agency to shape politics, explore ruins, and forge alliances—your choices literally change the world.

What to Expect

• Core campaign: twice‑monthly, ≈ 3‑hour blocks.
• Optional side‑sessions: players may organize extra games via Westmarch.
• Sessions: We’ll meet on Discord voice chat, with downtime handled via text (think play‑by‑post). I’ll schedule the main games, but you’re free to set up additional adventures on the Adventure Board.
• Player‑driven narrative: Your characters decide which factions to support, which mysteries to pursue, and how to allocate resources. The DM reacts, adds challenges, and expands the world based on your actions.
• Monthly One‑Shot: To keep things from getting stale, I run a separate one‑shot each month in a different setting or system.
• Game System: We’ll be using Basic Fantasy RPG, a free B/X‑style retro clone from the BFRPG website.
• Tools & VTT: Character sheets live on the Westmarch page; we’ll use Owlbear for the virtual tabletop. I won’t supply pre‑made maps; instead, you’ll draw and map the world yourselves. Each player starts with three character slots; retainers are generated by the DM and assigned to the paying player.
• Time Flow: One real‑world day equals one in‑game day. Events advance whether you’re present or not. If the “dark army” is slated to reach the castle in a week, they will, unless you intervene.
• Safety & Doom Rolls: Characters need a safe haven or camp each day; failure to secure one forces a DOOM roll, and a bad roll means the character is lost in the wilderness or dungeon until rescued by another of your characters.

Character Creation

Once you've introduced yourself on the Discord you'll be able to click the new character button on the character creation page.

• All characters begin at Level 1.
• Stats are generated by rolling 3d6 for each ability (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma).
• After rolling, assign the scores to the abilities as you see fit.
• Use the character sheet on the Westmarch page to record your stats, background, and any starting equipment.

Tools and Links

Our main hub is the Westmarch Community Page, where you’ll find the World Wiki, Character Hub, and Adventure Board (links listed below). Join our Discord server for voice chat and community discussion, and refer to the Basic Fantasy RPG site for rules and resources.

• World wiki: https://www.westmarches.games/communities/duck-pond/world
• Character hub: https://www.westmarches.games/communities/duck-pond/characters
• Adventure board: https://www.westmarches.games/communities/duck-pond/adventures

These resources contain character sheets, the world wiki, and everything else you’ll need to get started.

Scheduling and Joining

1. Join Discord and introduce yourself, letting us know if you’re interested in the living‑world campaign or just want to hang out.
2. Head over to the Westmarch page and create a character using the provided tools and wiki guides.
3. Remember, inactivity or failure to introduce yourself may result in removal from the group.

Call to Action and Close

Ready to carve your name into the legends of Karmikos? Post a quick intro in #welcome on Discord and drop a link to your Westmarch character sheet—then we’ll ping you for the next session! Jump into the Discord server, say hello, and start building your character today. The wilderness is waiting, the political intrigue is brewing, and the dark army is already on the march. Grab your sword, ready your spellbook, and let’s make some unforgettable stories together.

See you on the road!