Moonacre: The Ninth School
Game Edition: 5.5e, and homebrew
Experience: All levels welcome
Session Time: Fridays 6:00-11:00 PM
Theme: High fantasy homebrew world, some dark themes. Inspired by campaign settings like Strixhaven.
In the year 1061 PA, a new class of students arrives at
Moonacre Academy, a prestigious scholarly institution where ambition, curiosity and intellect are tested as fiercely as any spell.
For the first-year students stepping into its illustrious halls, enrolment day marks the beginning of their careers, vocations, and futures.
For the elite few fortunate enough to be chosen to study there, Moonacre offers curious and learned minds the chance to train under some of Liäfea’s greatest scholars, mages, warriors, and thinkers.
Those who graduate often go on to become among the most influential figures in Liäfean society.
But things are far from business as usual this year. Murmurings among the current student body speak of strange occurrences...
... In shadowed hallways, rumours spread of students disappearing, only to return changed. Others speak of strange sounds coming from the Umberloch, the vast lake upon which the Academy and the city proper sits. Some even speak of faculty members entering trance-like states, speaking in cryptic languages long thought lost, only to snap back into awareness dazed and confused.
Whilst strange events are not uncommon in this magical place of learning, the truth is this: Beneath the ordinary stress and chaos of life at the Academy,
something is very wrong at Moonacre.
The party begin as first-year students assigned to live and study together as a
Ring, a small group expected to train, compete, and endure the year as one. What begins with awkward introductions, lessons, rivalries, and the pressures of Academy life soon draws them into a mystery that reaches beyond gossip and schoolyard fear.
Their first year will test more than their grades. They will face dangerous classes, unearth secrets and mysteries, uncover sinister plots, and even face the infamous end-of-year Trial, where first-year Rings must prove themselves before the eyes of their peers and professors to graduate into Year Two of their studies.
For all students, the first lesson taught is this:
At Moonacre, knowledge is power...
...but some knowledge, it seems, is best left unsought.
The Ninth School is a long-form, character-driven D&D 5.5 campaign set across an academic year at a high-fantasy magical academy in the homebrew world of Liäfea.
Expect to balance student life, new friendships and rivalries, mystery and intrigue, exploration, tactical combat, unsettling secrets, academic trials, and a story where curiosity may be the most dangerous thing a student can possess.
The sessions are held in person at my (Your friendly DM, Jake) home. We are a group of long term friends with 2 campaigns already under our belt. We are looking for one or two new members to fill out the party and embark on a campaign that could roughly span 30-40 weekly sessions!
Details:
- Sessions are weekly and around 5 hours long
- To cover the costs for tools and systems and to help me deliver a quality game each of the players pays £15 per month
- People of all experience levels are welcome, but you are expected to know the basics and have read the Players Handbook (2014 or 2024)
- Our table is LGBTQ+ friendly and anyone is welcome over the age of 18
- Before we get started, a Session 0 will be ran as well as an intro discord call, so you can meet the group prior to playing in person!