Reminder: the setting is an analog to historical Europe circa 1400 CE.  Though non-human races from D&D exist, culturally the setting is very much European.  See below for specifics, but class features that are specific to a D&D culture or setting or meant to evoke cultures outside of Europe are either not permitted in the former case or subject to DM approval.

Starting character level is Third (3), use the Standard Array for ability scores.  Roll hit points after first level.  Use “Starting Wealth by Class” on p. 143 of the PHB + 100 gp.  Primitive firearms as listed on pp. 267-8 of the DMG are available, all considered Martial Weapons.    From the Explosives at the same reference, only the “bomb” is available.  You may not purchase any magic items not on the PHB gear list.


Allowable Sources:

Player’s handbook
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Xanathur’s Guide to Everything
Curse of Strahd
Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Sword Coast Guide (no Faerun-specific backgrounds or class features)

I will consider on a case-by-case basis from Mythic Odysseys of Theros and Mordenkainen Presents.

No homebrew, Magic the Gathering, Eberron, Rick & Morty, Critical Role, Unearthed Arcana, or third-party sources.

See below for specific restrictions on Race and Class.

Allowable Races:

Dragonborn (exceedingly rare)
Dwarf (Hill & Mountain)
Elf (Wood, very rare)
Gnome (Rock & Forest)
Half-Elf (almost unheard of)
Half-Orc (very rare)
Halfling (Lightfoot & Stout)
Human and Variant Human

Humans can be Sauscon (Germanic analog and highly varied), Rousset (Frankish analog), Sydonian (Roman analog), Capelnera (North Italy analog), Elinika (koine, Greek analog), and several other unnamed as of yet analogs such as Romanian, English and Spanish.  Red hair is limited to the Rousset Kingdom and is a mark of nobility.

Alignment Restrictions:

No evil alignments, nor Chaotic Neutral permitted.  Most of the traditionally evil races and species in D&D are inherently evil in this world.  For example: If you put a toddler goblin among human toddlers, the goblin will beat and try to eat the humans as a natural and instinctual behavior.

Class Restrictions:

Artificer and Monk classes are not allowed, they are not appropriate for the setting.  I am looking at the Pugilist class from Amazing Adventures, the Wrestler and Brawler fighting styles as options for replacing the monk.  If you are interested, ask me.  Below are the allowed archetypes/paths allowed by class.

Barbarian paths:  Ancestral Guardian, The Beast, Berserker, and Totem Warrior
Bard Colleges: Eloquence, Glamour, Lore, Spirits and Sword
Cleric: any domain, but must follow alignment restriction (no evil)
Druid Circles: Dreams (elves and half-elves), Stars, Land, Moon and Shepherd
Fighter Archetypes: Arcane Archer (elves and half-elves), Cavalier, and Champion
Paladin Oaths: Devotion, Ancients (elves and half-elves), The Crown, Redemption and Vengeance (Sydonian only)
Ranger Archetypes: Beast Master and Hunter
Rogue Archetypes: Inquisitive, Mastermind, Scout, Swashbuckler and Thief
Sorcerous Origins:  Divine Soul, Draconic Bloodline, Wild Magic
Warlock Patrons:  The Archfey (elves, half-elves, forest gnomes), The Celestial (The Genie if they are from the “middle-east” and use Far Traveller or Outlander background)
Wizard Arcane Traditions:  Bladesinging (elves, half-elves), the eight schools of magic.

No class archetype specific to a D&D setting, such as Faerun or Eberron, allowed.  As with the Genie patron, any archetype originating in an earth-analog culture (such as Samurai and many of the monk traditions) can be considered on a case-by-case basis and the character would be a Far Traveler or Outlander.  The inherently evil archetypes (like Great Old One or Fiend patrons) I will only consider with the strongest background coupled with a commitment to play the conflict for Good and overcome the evil intent of the patron, which may end poorly for the character.  No psionics of any kind will be allowed.

Backgrounds: None of the setting-specific backgrounds in the sources above are permitted, but if you have your heart set on one, let's discuss how it can be adjusted to fit one of the kingdoms in Ivalis.

I will limit the number of characters that are not from Ivalis (Europe) and using the Far Traveler or Outlander backgrounds to ensure the majority of heroes are “European.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:07, Wed 15 Feb 2023.

In the character biography line 1 put race and class with gender is M or F (any character with another or non-binary gender tell me and we can put another letter code; for biography line 2 please put your AC and current HP xx / xx.

Example:

Line 1:  Elf/Bard (F)
Line 2:  AC: 16, HP: 22/22

In your character description put a physical description so we all know what you look like, some idea of mannerisms, and a non-anime picture if you can find one, keeping the size small enough that it doesn't force us to scroll the page.

Please do not use an anime picture for the portrait.