Sanctuary: Dungeon Tales 5E preview – Unveiling Immersive Worlds between the Material and Metaphysical planes

Discover Sanctuary: Dungeon Tales, where in the mythical realm of Athafios, the descendants of Erideya harness the elemental forces of water, earth, air, and fire to explore enigmatic sanctuaries, confront the insatiable Desire that drove the Sages astray, and embark on an epic quest to restore balance under the guidance of the Arkoiris, the revered protectors of Ancient Wisdom.

Welcome to the enchanting world of Sanctuary: Dungeon Tales, a brand-new setting compatible with the popular 5E system. Prepare to be transported to the mesmerizing realm of Athafios, where ancient towers and forgotten sanctuaries hold secrets waiting to be discovered in a delicate dance of shadows and illumination, substance and essence. Embrace the opportunity to embody one of five distinct Peoples, each intimately linked to the elemental forces, and confront the ever-growing chaos that engulfs the untamed wilderness. As part of your intrepid exploration party, you’ll embark on an extraordinary odyssey beyond the confines of the physical realm, venturing into the astral plane where exhilarating adventures await your arrival.

You’ll embark on an exciting journey of discovery in a captivating new world filled with fascinating stories. There are five different Peoples you will encounter that are inspired by the powerful elements that shaped the ancient realm. There are also eight fresh classes to choose from, each closely connected to the world of exploration, offering distinctive paths for character growth. Immerse yourself in the authentic backgrounds of Athafios, unraveling the secrets woven into this enchanting realm. Harness new skills, spells, equipment, and special items to enhance your abilities and enrich your adventures. Experience inventive mechanics for dungeon exploration and region travel, immersing yourself in the gameplay and strategic decision-making. Embrace a versatile character sheet that adapts to the astral or physical world, revealing unique rules and mechanics. You can enhance your experience with expanded Rumors and innovative systems that create thrilling adventures, opening up limitless possibilities for exploration and storytelling.

We had a sneak peek at the realm of Sanctuary by Game Start Studio, with its captivating lore, stunning 3D Dungeon modular set, and Interactive miniatures with removable technical bases and versatile tags, allowing for easy tracking of status, spells, hit points, initiative, and more, providing a clear and efficient overview of the game situation.

Although the Kickstarter campaign for Sanctuary: Dungeon Tales, a mystic natural fantasy setting compatible with 5E, has been successfully funded and is ending, be sure to stay tuned for updates on when the late pledge option will become available.

Unveiling the Primal Lore of Sanctuary

In the early days, Athafios emerged as a primal energy, surpassing time and space. Erideya embodied this energy, harnessing the elemental forces of water, earth, air, and fire, which sustained life in the world. The Elemental Heroes, descendants of Erideya, built sanctuaries to house the powerful Stones of Life imbued with elemental energy. Erideya erected a radiant Selenite obelisk on the central island, spreading light and energy across all the sanctuaries, creating a vital grid. Erideya established the Order of the Great Library to safeguard Ancient Wisdom, with chosen people entrusted to protect knowledge and uphold the energy grid. Thus, the descendants of the Elemental Heroes thrived in a delicate balance on Athafios.

Certain individuals among the Peoples of Athafios were entrusted with the sacred duty of protecting knowledge and maintaining the energy grid. However, a powerful force known as Desire emerged, driving the Ancient Sages toward an insatiable thirst for knowledge and dominance. The Sages, consumed by their desires, isolated themselves within the Great Library, causing the Peoples to lose connection with the energy grid and allowing their inner spark to fade. The Guardians of the Sanctuaries, deprived of energy, succumbed to cravings, ultimately leading to the fracture of the grid. The Selenite Obelisk, the source of radiant light for the Stones of Life, vanished, and darkness engulfed Athafios. Taking advantage of the chaos, the Devourers of Desire attacked the Great Library, seeking to seize the remaining energy and dominate the Metaphysical Plane. In the ensuing battle, numerous texts were destroyed, resulting in the irretrievable loss of knowledge. Despite the Order’s brave resistance, the Devourers were forced to retreat into the shadows, leaving Athafios in a state of uncertainty.

In the aftermath of the energy grid’s decline, abandoned sanctuaries created gateways for unknown beings, infusing uncharted regions with the elemental forces of water, earth, air, and fire. Amidst this transformation, the Order was reformed to reconstruct knowledge and revive the energy grid. The Arkoiris, comprised of explorers and wanderers, arose to attune to energy vibrations and traverse between planes, while individuals retaining their inner spark could align with the restored Order.

In the present day, the Arkoiris are the explorers, heroes, healers, and guardians of Ancient Wisdom. They are embraced by all Peoples and held in awe and deep respect, representing the ancient legacy of a dormant yet indelibly remembered past.

Material vs. Metaphysical: Exploring the Dual Planes of Sanctuary’s Gameplay

In addition to captivating and original lore, Sanctuary introduces distinct classes, traits & archetypes, spells, special items & weapons. It also introduces novel mechanics such as Rumors & Exploration, and Energy Points.

However, the main innovation introduced by Sanctuary gameplay is the introduction of the Material and the Metaphysical Planes. It is a sort of “Stranger Things Upside Down” twist to D&D 5E. In this game, characters are created with many unique attributes based on the planes they traverse. The character sheets are unique and can be rotated 180 degrees, showing the diverse characteristics of the characters in the Material and the Metaphysical Plane. When you enter the Metaphysical Plane, you flip your character sheet, embrace a new soul, and immerse yourself in an entirely distinct realm.

We were left thrilled and filled with anticipation to witness the enchanting twists and delightful surprises that the final version of Sanctuary: Dungeon Tales will unveil on the tabletop!

Crafting Immersive Worlds and Exploring the Stunning Interactive Miniatures of Sanctuary

The material involvement of Sanctuary: Dungeon Tales sets it apart in the crowded space of D&D 5E supplements. Two main elements make this game shine: the 3D dungeon modular set and the interactive miniatures.

Prepare to unleash your creativity with the vibrant and versatile 3D modular dungeon set! With a stunning array of 130 dungeon items, including rewritable map tiles, walls, doors, props, and stands, the possibilities for crafting the perfect setting for your tabletop adventures are endless. From treacherous underground dungeons to hauntingly beautiful ruined cities or even enchanting woodlands, you have the power to create any scene you can imagine. Moreover, these remarkable 3D modular maps are rewritable, allowing you to customize the surrounding area, adding intricate details that align perfectly with your unique adventure. Get ready to embark on a journey like no other, where your imagination knows no bounds and every corner of your gaming world is brought to life with joy and excitement.

Immerse yourself in a genuinely unparalleled gaming experience with the remarkable collection of over 200 High-quality plastic interactive miniatures, each meticulously crafted and available in the stunning sun drop edition, bringing a touch of beauty to your tabletop adventures. The snap-fit 3D weapons, spells, status, and number tokens enhance the immersion even further, seamlessly integrating into your gameplay and adding a new layer of excitement. With an impressive array of over 400 plastic tokens, you can effortlessly track conditions, permanent effects, and damage suffered by your minis, ensuring precision and visual clarity without constantly referencing external notes. Prepare for an unforgettable journey where every detail comes to life, allowing you to fully engage in a compelling and immersive gaming experience with these intricately detailed and steadfast minis.

Verdict

Prepare to be enchanted from the very moment you open the box of interactive miniatures and tokens! Each piece is a work of art that will leave you in awe, and the joy of building stunning 3D models is an experience like no other. As you dive into the pages of the Sanctuary: Dungeon Tales quickstart book, be prepared to be captivated by the rich and immersive world that unfolds before your eyes. From beginning to end, every moment is filled with wonder and excitement, transporting you to a realm of endless possibilities.

Get ready to embark on a journey that will ignite your imagination and leave you with memories of pure joy. Even if just a glimpse, Sanctuary has left us eagerly anticipating the wonders that lie ahead. Our excitement knows no bounds as we eagerly await the incredible adventures and discoveries that await us in this enchanting realm.

Sanctuary: Dungeon Tales, Mystic Natural Fantasy Setting 5E, is planned to be released in July 2024 and is already on our wish list.

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