Charmed Adventures: Everything You Need to Know About Charm Person 5e

If you're ready to use charm person 5e in a way that you’ve never utilized it before, this guide is for you. Honestly, charm person 5e works absolute wonders in the game.


You've certainly heard of the term "charmer" before. In stories, it's that character who always uses charisma to get their way out of any tricky situation, or who fools others with their allure. Personally, I've always admired charmers and the incredible things they can accomplish. In D&D 5e, we get to be charmers, too!

Charm Person 5e

What Is Charm Person 5e?

Charm Person 5e is a 1st level charm spell from the School of Enchantment. When cast, this spell makes enemies friendly toward you and your party members. It's perfect when you need help or want to charm out of a sticky situation. You can see exactly what the Player's Handbook has to say about Charm Person, on Page 221. To save you some time though, here’s a summary of the important parts:


Charm person 5e causes the target to regard you as a friendly acquaintance. If you attempt to use charm person in the middle of a battle, the target has Advantage with their Wisdom saving throw. The charm effect ends either after 1-hour, or when you or your allies try to harm the charmed person. Once the charm effect ends, the target is made aware that you used charm person upon them (which can sometimes be a very important detail to remember, when using this spell).


At higher levels, you can also use a higher-level spell slot to target multiple enemies with charm person 5e at a time.

The stats are as follows:

  • Casting Time: 1 action
  • Range: 30 feet
  • Components: V, S
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • School: 1st-level enchantment


Modifying Levels of Success when Using Charm Person

The charm effect works in different ways depending on the creature's current level of hostility. For instance, if a creature is hostile, charm person can make the creature view you as an ally. On the other hand, if a creature isn't hostile, charm person makes them even more amiable to your requests. The charm effect also works differently for different creatures, depending on their level of intelligence, general view of the world, etc.


Which Classes Can Cast Charm Person 5e?

Charm person 5e is a 1st-level enchantment spell from the School of Enchantment. Only spellcasters with access to the School of Enchantment can cast the charm person spell:

  • Bard
  • Druid
  • Sorcerer
  • Warlock
  • Wizard


The Cleric subclass – Trickery Domain – gets the spell for free.

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Who Can You Target with Charm Person?

Of course, charm person has a few limits, as there are already spells for charming animals, monsters, and the like. The actual charm person spell can only target humanoids, such as:

  • Aarakocra
  • All player races
  • Bugbears
  • Githyanki
  • Githzerai
  • Gnolls
  • Grimlock
  • Goblins
  • Hobgoblins
  • Jackalwere
  • Kobolds
  • Kuo-Toa
  • Lizardfolk
  • Lycanthropes
  • Orcs


If you come across a type of enemy who is not considered a humanoid, you’ll have to take a look at other charm and charm-like spells, such as Animal Friendship or Charm Monster.


When Should You Use Charm Person?

The first time I learned about charm person I was so excited that I could hardly wait before casting it in battle. Don't get me wrong, charm has its place in combat and can be a great tool when used properly. However, the charm also has its best place outside of battle.


After some experimentation, I now personally believe that the following situations are ideal for charm:


Bargaining

Let's say you're in a situation where you need to make a deal with someone who's not particularly friendly. In these scenarios, “negotiate” using charm and see the results!


Gain Pre-combat Advantage

If you charm an enemy, they won't be able to attack you, and it gives you some time to prepare for battle. Since enemies gain Advantage against your charm person spell during combat, you increase your chances of charm by roughly 50% if used just beforehand.


Of course, save your charmed enemy for last, as the spell effect will break once you attack them. If you utilize this tactic, then it works similarly to Cause Fear 5e, where you can break up large groups of enemies, and prevent a TPK.


Skip Encounters

Charm is also great when you want to avoid combat altogether. Charming targets can be a great way to skip through encounters and access the next stages in an adventure, without resistance.


Acquire Information

Charm person can be a great way to get information from people who don't want to talk. Just charm them, and ask your questions! Note that this use of charm person doesn’t always work (as I’ll discuss more below), but if you’re having trouble pumping someone for info anyways, it sometimes hurt to try charming them before resorting to more drastic measures.

 

Just remember, however, that after you use charm person on a target, once the effect fades, they are made aware that you charmed them. If you can’t acquire the information you’re after using charm person, the charmed target may resent you for your attempt after the fact, and any further attempts at gaining their willing cooperation may be soured.

Charm 5e

Charm Person 5e Rules

Before you cast charm person, there are a few very important things you should keep in mind. Utilize this checklist to maximize your charm spell’s results:

  • Again, charm person only works on humanoids.
  • Harming the charmed target breaks the charm.
  • Charmed humanoids can't attack the caster. However, in some extreme cases, they may still attack your allies.
  • Casters can still utilize ability checks when interacting with the charmed target.
  • Charmed humanoids don't have to say anything. Just because you’ve charmed them doesn’t mean you can compel them to action.
  • Charmed creatures know that you charmed them after the charm ends. In many cases, this will cause the target to like you much less once the spell’s effect ends.
  • Targets must be within 30 feet, and must be within line of sight.
  • It's possible for multiple people in your party to cast multiple charm person on the same target, at the same time.
  • Dispel magic can end the charm person spell early.


Disadvantages to Charm Person

As you probably noticed with the list above – and like with any other spell – charm person 5e also has its disadvantages. These disadvantages are no big deal just so long as you remember to use your charm effects in the scenarios where they’re most advantageous.


That being said, here are charm person’s biggest drawbacks:


Charmed Humanoids Don't Have to Say Anything

You're a charmer, not a mind controller. So don't expect charm to make people spill secrets. Charmed creatures will be friendly and probably won’t tell you lies, but they don’t have to say anything at all if they really don’t want to.


Charmed Creatures Know You’ve Charmed Them

Imagine charm as a temporary friendship. Once the charm wears off, the charmed creature will know what you've done. If you charmed a friend, they’re less likely to still view you as a friend, afterwards. If you charmed a hostile enemy, leave their sight when the charm ends unless you intend to finish them off!


Charm Person Won't Stop Hostility Against Your Party

Charming an enemy doesn’t necessarily stop your target from attacking your friends. Instead, it all depends on your dungeon master, and their interpretation of the situation. Additionally, charm doesn’t automatically stop the other hostile creatures in your target’s group from attacking you or your party. In fact, if a group of enemies sees you charm one among them, they may instead target you first.


Dispel Magic Can End the Charm Person Spell Early

Charm person is, after all, a magical effect. Like any other magical effect, dispel magic can end it early. Of course, if an enemy uses their turn to cast dispel magic, you’ve at least prevented them from taking some other dangerous action. However, since charm person requires overcoming your target’s Wisdom save to begin with, any dispel effect can be a major bummer.

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Similar Spells to Charm Person 5e

As I mentioned before, D&D 5e has other spells that you can use to cause the charmed condition on others, for your party's advantage. Here are some spells you may take a look at that either charm, or cause charm-like effects:

  • Suggestion: the target must follow the caster's direction, but must also pass a Wisdom saving throw.
  • Disguise Self: casters can change their appearance to look like other creatures.
  • Guidance: the caster can give a creature an advantage on their next ability check.
  • Dominate Person: the caster can control the creature's actions, but must pass a Wisdom saving throw.


Is the Charmed Condition Good?

There's no ultimate answer to this question as it really depends on the caster and situation. Generally, I see charm person as a great spell because it has so many applications. Unless you’re having a difficult time overcoming your targets’ Wisdom saving throw(s) – such as when in combat – charm person really only becomes "not good" when it’s misused.


When it comes to combat, I’d probably avoid using charm person, and instead opt for a spell like Silence 5e (against spell casters) or Cause Fear 5e (against almost anyone else). The reason is that both silence and cause fear don’t give the target advantage against your spell’s effect, and both effectively incapacitate them for the duration of the battle.


In summary, think of charm person as more of a way to make temporary friends and allies, and less of a way to incapacitate dangerous foes. You don't have to use charm spells with every humanoid you come across; just charm when it can be an effective way to help your party.

Charmed 5e

Charmed 5e vs. Eternity TTRPG

In D&D 5e, Charm Person magically improves the target’s opinions of the caster to the point where they’re considered a close friend. With “friendship” status invoked, all kinds of benefits can be gained such as through negotiations, gathering information, and even preventing the target from engaging in combat. Finally, there are many types of Charmed 5e effects, such as Animal Friendship or Charm Monster, which allow for various uses of the Charmed condition.

 

In the Eternity TTRPG Game System, charm effects are quite a bit simpler, yet far more powerful: charm in Eternity is synonymous with “mind control.” Basically, a charmed target loses all will of their own, submitting completely to the desires of the person charming them. It represents the single most powerful effect in Eternity TTRPG, as even a single turn of the Charmed condition can completely alter a difficult negotiation, combat encounter, or any situation where another player’s character or NPC is involved.

 

What Classes in Eternity TTRPG can Cast Charm Effects?

Archon (Classes Expansion) and Revenant/ Witch (Classes Expansion) are the only classes that receive a charm effect as a core class spell. Each class has a unique way of casting the spell, which result in a very different play-style:

 

Archon – Core Class Spell

Omega (Magic): 4Range, -4Faith vs. Will, deals 1damage. Even if this spell misses, -11Faith vs. Resilience, take control of the target’s Action for 1turn (the control effect from “Omega” cannot Double-Hit or give a Block).

When you take control, you may not have the target use a critical, use a spell or ability with a 1Day Recharge, or dispel

any of their own maintained effects. However, you may have them take any other action (including attacking themselves), and you may know the target’s HP, Wisdom, and all other stats and maintained effects for the duration of the control.

(Double-Hit): deals 2damage.

  • (Zenith) After you cast this spell, it creates an “Omega Void” on the target’s space, that remains for Battle Duration. Enemies automatically have -4Initiative while within 2Range of the “Omega Void.”
  • (Spells of True Weaving) 8Range. You also have 8Range when casting this spell, for Battle Duration. 
  • (Chrono Mage) Even if this spell misses, -3Faith vs. Resilience, take control of the target’s Actions for 1turn. This critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.

 

Revenant/ Witch – Core Class Spell

Spellbound (Magic): weapon Range, -3Strike Bonus vs. Resilience or 4Range, -3Faith vs. Resilience, if this spell hits, on every one of the target’s turns, roll d20. On the first turn, if you roll 20, take control of the target’s Action for 1turn.

           When you take control, you may not have the target use a critical, use a spell or ability with a 1Day Recharge, or dispel any of their own maintained effects. However, you may have them take any other action (including attacking themselves), and you may know the target’s HP, Wisdom, and all other stats and maintained effects for the duration of the control.

On each successive turn, roll 1 number lower to hit (can stack to 14-20 by the 7th turn). This spell can be interrupted. You can instead choose to continually maintain this spell as an aura for 3Intelligence, per target you want to cast at, making it an Instant Action at the start of every battle.

           (Double-Hit): roll 3 numbers lower to hit.

  • (Grimly Fated) Roll 17-20 on the target’s first turn, and 1 number lower to hit each round after. You can instead choose to continually maintain this critical as an aura for 6Intelligence (and 0Wisdom), per target you want to cast at, making it an Instant Action at the start of every battle.
  • (Of the Dread Vale) Up to 3 enemies in 4Range. *Double-Hit with this critical only allows one of the attacks to have lowered numbers to roll.
  • (Witch’s Coven) This spell cannot be interrupted and cannot be removed in any way except the revenant/ witch reaching 0HP. You can instead choose to continually maintain this critical as an aura for 4Intelligence (and 0Wisdom), per target you want to cast at, making it an Instant Action at the start of every battle.
Charm Spells Eternity TTRPG

Strategies for using Charm Effects in Eternity TTRPG

In Eternity TTRPG, charm effects allow you to capitalize on severe mismatches in an enemy group, during combat, or simply turn weak-willed NPCs into puppets during any roleplay encounter. Any spell that functions specific ways in Eternity TTRPG can be used as roleplay effects in similar ways, meaning that you can be flexible with your roleplay uses of combat-based effects.

 

Similar to Charm Person in D&D 5e, however, charmed targets know that they were charmed, once the spell ends. So, you’d better be sure to make your charm effect count, as there could be significant fallout from the spell once its effect fades.

 

Gather Information

Though neither Omega nor Spellbound are perfectly suited to this situation (as the former involves causing damage to the target, and the latter takes time to take effect), you could use the spells to gather information from an important NPC.

 

If you can get the NPC away from any other guards on onlookers, and you have a little time to use your charm spell effects, you should be able to mind control them. Once charmed, you may cause the target to willingly provide you with all of the information that they know on any topic.

 

Provide False Orders

This is another situation where Omega and Spellbound may have some difficulties, as giving orders requires a sort of complete control over a target for some time. However, if you can use Spellbound to successfully charm a target for multiple turns in a row, you could force them to write orders to their subordinates.

 

These orders could then be duplicated and dispersed, while the original target of your charm effects could be subdued in some location unknown to their subordinates – at least until the false orders you created are undertaken.

 

Though especially devious, this method of mind control can lead to some truly catastrophic (for the good or bad) changes in any RPG campaign.

 

Convince a Guard to Look the Other Way

Of all the examples so far, this one may be the easiest to accomplish. If your party is using stealth to enter into an area controlled by opposing forces, it’s no problem if a guard notices you. This is a situation where Omega would certainly be better than Spellbound, but both could potentially work out.

 

Simply cast your charm effect right away and then cause the guard to stay silent as you sneak past. Though you can’t alter memories with Omega or Spellbound, you can at least buy your party enough time to get through heavily-guarded spaces without causing an immediate ruckus.

 

Finish Off a Powerful Enemy

One of the most challenging parts of any TTRPG (or video game RPG, for that matter) is finishing off a powerful enemy, especially when they have healers or support characters on their side. The reality is that dealing damage to an enemy actually doesn’t matter in strategy games until the character finally hits 0HP, as the enemy often has just as powerful attacks of their own when they’re at 1HP left as when they’re at full HP.

 

In any case, one of the absolute best ways to use charm effects is when the strongest enemy in a group is just about to die. In order to prevent that enemy from getting a last-second save, charm the enemy healer so they’re not able to save their powerful enemy from the brink of death. A decision like that can often save your party a great deal of anguish.

 

Turn a Dangerous Foe to Your Side

Alternatively, you can sometimes get a lucky roll, and charm the most powerful enemy in a group that you’re facing. Imagine fighting a group of knights and their lord commander, only for that commander to suddenly turn on his own troops.

 

If you can charm an enemy with a great deal of attack power, you can use that attack power like an explosion, causing your foe to mow down their own allies in a flash.

 

Force a Key NPC or Monster to Simply Do Nothing

Oftentimes, the best way to use a charm effect is simply to cause your target to become inactive. In many cases, very powerful enemies are highly resistant to charm effects, and groups of enemies may be able to remove charm effects from their allies.

 

However, no matter what, it’s almost always valuable to turn even one enemy into a worthless husk for a turn or two. Or, you can force a key NPC who isn’t directly part of a battle or roleplay encounter to become inactive, making them useless for whoever would normally direct them towards tasks or actions that may hinder you.

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Limitations to Charm Effects in Eternity TTRPG

It’s worth noting that in Eternity TTRPG, charm effects have the following limitations. Though these limitations are not drastic or overly restricting for any charm purposes you may have in mind, they are worth noting:

  • You may not cause the target to use a critical effect.
  • You may not cause the target to intentionally dispel any of their maintained effects.
  • You may not cause the target to use a spell or ability with a 1-day recharge.
  • You may not alter the target’s memories in any way.
  • Finally, watch out for Silence effects as both charm conditions in Eternity TTRPG are spells, so are subject to magical interrupts.

 

Curious about the Eternity TTRPG Game System?

From my many years of tabletop gaming, I’ve found that most people who play D&D do so because they aren’t familiar with other TTRPGs out there, and it may seem like it isn’t worth the effort to learn a new game. Let me tell you though – as great as D&D is, it obviously has some flaws.

 

I created the Eternity TTRPG Game System to solve some of the issues that D&D has. Eternity is fast-paced, easy-to-learn, and allows multiple players to contribute to both the game world and story.

 

Curious to learn more? Pick up an inexpensive PDF copy at the Eternity TTRPG shop. Eternity is a growing site, so your support is greatly appreciated! If you end up trying it out, let me know what you think of the game.

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Author - Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed this article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.


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Crooked Moon: The Crimson Monastery

By Jacob Tegtman • July 29, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QklD9CbOoV0&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription “In the flames, there is purity and salvation. From the flames, she speaks…”  Those aren’t the words of a prophet. They’re the twisted scripture of a zealot. Deep in the mountains of Druskenvald, a crimson light spills from stained glass windows. It’s not salvation. It’s a warning. Today, we’re venturing into one of the darkest D&D adventures I’ve ever read—The Crimson Monastery, from my new personal favorite, Crooked Moon. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your faithful companion through the wildest realms of Dungeons & Dragons. If you love your fantasy served with horror, vampires, and morally gray decisions, buckle in—we’re about to descend into a bloodstained cathedral of corruption. Let me tell you a story. Once, there was a noble knight named Marius Renathyr. A beacon of honor, clad in gold armor, championing justice in a cursed land. He loved a priestess of the Nightmother, and though they burned with passion, he kept his vows. But as his crusade wore on, so did his soul. Wrath replaced compassion. And that’s when she found him. Viraxys, a devil who fed on twisted souls, disguised her voice as that of a goddess—the Crimson Rose. On the verge of death, Marius accepted her offer of life eternal. But what she gave him was a curse. Now immortal, now a vampire, now a puppet to her whims, Marius returned to the world not as a hero… but as Father Renathyr, the Crimson Abbot. Real quick to interrupt, we now have free downloadable D&D cards at the Eternity TTRPG website that you can use at your table. Everything from combat actions to status effects – no more flipping through your book to see exactly what being “Petrified” does to your character. You can just take our graphics, print them out at home, and slap them on your table for fun and easy reference. Grab yours today using the link, below! Now, back to the video. Father Renathyr took over a mountain monastery, corrupted its clergy, and built a religion around his devil’s false divinity. In the village below—Dawn’s Gate—the people tremble under his sermons. Refuse his faith, and you’ll be burned alive. Embrace it, and you may become something far worse. This isn’t just a dungeon crawl. It’s a full-blown crusade to take down a vampire cult… from the inside. The Crimon Monastery is awesome – there’s just so much to it. But let’s start out by saying that Father Renathyr’s not alone. His cult is sustained by three terrifying Priors, each with their own tragic backstory and twisted gifts: There’s Houndmaster Jaeger , Friar Olaf , and perhaps the most terrifying , Inquisitor Cromwell . Each of them appears human at first. But when defeated, their monstrous Night Creature forms are revealed for a brutal second phase. They’re more than lieutenants—they’re potential successors. If you don’t take out all three, the cult might survive… without Renathyr. And then there’s the monastery itself. It’s not just a setting. It’s a trap. The whole thing. The monastery’s walls are made of bloodstone—a cursed material that prevents blood from drying. If you’re wounded, you leave a visible trail, and stealth becomes nearly impossible. All around are red stained-glass windows arranged in rose-petal patterns. They bathe everything in an eerie light. Inside, the rituals are disturbing: bodies bled at the altar, corpses hanging in the Dead Larder, prayers whispered under a false god. Oh—and there’s no sunlight. A blessing from the Crimson Rose means that even magical sunlight won’t harm vampires within these walls. This is their stronghold. You’re not just breaking in to your usual dungeon crawl. With the Crimon Monastery, you’re invading a fortress of the damned. Finally, this story doesn’t end with one death. Kill Father Renathyr without wiping out his Priors? You start a civil war. The survivors fight for control, leading to bloodshed across the region. But what if you expose the truth—that the Crimson Rose is a devil—and show proof to the faithful? You could cause the entire cult to collapse in one dramatic showdown. The townsfolk revolt. The Bloodless turn on each other. The Crimson Monastery falls into ruin. You get to choose the ending. But be warned: leave even one thread intact, and the nightmare may rise again. So, adventurer... if you haven’t picked up the Crooked Moon yet, it might just be time. If you’ve liked what you’ve heard, the Crimson Monastery is only one of many adventures within this beautiful new book. So, let me know what path you’d take in the comments below. Like this video if you love dark, story-rich adventures. Subscribe for more deep dives into the shadowy corners of D&D, and let us know you want us to cover next. Until next time—stay safe, roll high, and never trust a rose without thorns.
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Baldur's Gate, Moonshae Isles, and Icewind Dale - Adventures in Faerun

By Jacob Tegtman • July 24, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKV7iRcC31c&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription Wizards just dropped a bombshell—and no, it’s not another owlbear plushie. We’re finally heading back to the Forgotten Realms with a brand-new DM sourcebook—and it’s got survival horror, urban intrigue, and a ton of iconic locations. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your go-to for all things Dungeons & Dragons—rules, reveals, and Realm-shaking updates. Let’s start with the basics. Adventures in Faerûn is the brand-new Dungeon Master expansion dropping this November, and it's built specifically for the new rules update. That means it plays nice with the shiny new Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide. But unlike previous setting books, this one’s taking a genre-first approach. Instead of just a map and a lore dump, each of the five featured regions is tailored to a unique style of play. Think ‘Baldur’s Gate’ as gritty urban fantasy. ‘Icewind Dale’? Full-on survival horror. Yes please. Here’s the lineup of iconic locales we’re getting tools for: Baldur’s Gate – which you probably know from all our favorite, Baldur’s Gate 3. There’s urban crime, political tension, and maybe a little devilry. Calimshan – from older renditions of the Forgotten Realms Lore. You’ll fine scheming nobles and arcane secrets in an Arabian-Nights-esque setting. The Dalelands – from both 2e and 3e Forgotten Realms lore. This is classic high fantasy with lots of room for heroic sagas. Moonshae Isles – from The Moonshae Isles Regional Guide. It comes with Celtic vibes and druidic magic—great for mystery and folklore campaigns. Icewind Dale – which you can read about in the Legend of Drizzt Novels, by R.A. Salvatore. Here, you can expect Frostbitten survival, isolation, and ancient horrors. Each region comes with new adventure hooks, genre tone guides, and NPC inspiration tailored to the vibe. Real quick to interrupt, we now have free downloadable D&D cards at the Eternity TTRPG website that you can use at your table. Everything from combat actions to status effects – no more flipping through your book to see what exactly being “Petrified” does to your character. You can just take our graphics, print them out at home, and slap them on your table for fun and easy reference. Grab yours today using the link, below! Now, back to the video. Here’s the cool part—some of this material with the Forgotten Realms hasn’t been touched in Fifth Edition. Like, ever. They’re digging into the deeper lore of Faerûn and even pulling some artistic cues from Baldur’s Gate 3. You might recognize a few faces—or infernal contracts—from the game. And while it’s not confirmed, early previews suggest the book might come with poster maps—yes, actual tearaway maps. Which awesome. My table is ready. Adventures in Faerûn officially releases on November 11th, 2025. But—if you pre-order through D&D Beyond or an early-access local game store, you’ll get the digital version weeks in advance. Price isn’t locked yet, but it’ll probably sit around the usual $50 USD mark—same ballpark as Phandelver & Below and Vecna: Eve of Ruin. Now, you know how Wizards rolls: we’ll likely get tie-in minis from WizKids, and there’s a good chance Beadle & Grimm's will cook up one of their deluxe kits—metal coins, props, the works. To wrap it all up, here’s why this book matters: 5e hasn’t had a full Realms guide since 2015’s Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide. That’s nearly a decade without a dedicated Realms setting book. With the new rules and player guide dropping alongside it, this feels like Wizards’ attempt to make the Forgotten Realms fresh again—for new players and you experience, veteran gamer-grognards, alike. So, what do you think? Which of the five locations would you run a campaign in first? Is this genre-based format the future of setting books? Drop your take in the comments, smash that like button like it’s a mimic, and subscribe for more D&D news, lore, and spicy takes.  Until next time—may your dice roll high and your plot hooks land.
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New Kickstarter - Starset the Great Dimming - GrimDark SciFi

By Jacob Tegtman • July 22, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJt6sfuolo8&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription Civilization cut off. The solar system dimming. You’re not a hero—you’re just a soul, caught in the aftermath. Hey everyone! Today we’re unpacking Starset: The Great Dimming—the new 2nd‑edition tabletop RPG by Josiah Mork. It's a gritty, hope‑tinged sci‑fi RPG where ordinary lives shape the story. If you haven’t ever tried out TTRPGs besides D&D, this video is for you. I personally love finding the gems out there, especially from people who have fresh ideas in the RPG space. So, let’s dive into what makes this game truly unique. 1. Life‑Path Character Creation – “Your Story Shapes Your Stats” In most tabletop RPGs, you start by picking numbers—your strength, intelligence, gear, etc. Starset flips that completely. Here, you start with a life path : five origin stories to choose from— Combat , Common , Exploration , Mercenary , or Slave . These aren’t classes. They’re your character’s past. Were they a soldier in a forgotten war? A wanderer searching for hope? A prisoner stripped of identity? Once you’ve chosen, you roll dice to simulate major events in that character’s life. Each result gives you a moral choice , like “Did you steal the food to survive… or go hungry and keep your honor?” Your decision directly affects what skills, alliances, and scars your character carries—and even how old they are by the time the game begins. And yes, it’s possible to die before session one. That's how real and brutal the world of Starset is. You also collect keywords —these are mechanical tags that represent things like trauma, friendships, or defining traits. Some make you stronger. Others are burdens that shape how you grow. Either way, they evolve with you, like emotional milestones that actually change your abilities over time. In short: You don’t make a character—you live them. As creator Josiah Mork put it, this is “ backstory on mega-steroids. ” 2. Simultaneous Action Resolution – “It’s Not Your Turn—It’s Everyone’s Turn” In most tabletop RPGs, combat goes in turns: “You go, then I go, then the monster goes.” Starset changes the entire flow. Here’s how it works: Whenever someone targets you—say, with an attack or a persuasion attempt—that action is delayed until the end of your next turn . That delay is called a Floating Action . It gives you and your allies time to do something about it. Maybe you dodge out of the way. Maybe you talk them down . Maybe your teammate steps in with an assist , giving you a boost. These responses turn every round into a mini strategy session. So instead of sitting there waiting for your next turn, the idea is that you’re constantly engaged. Helping allies. Blocking threats. Choosing whether to defend, or risk it all. Your dice pool —which you use for actions—is also your health . Take a hit, and you lose dice. That means fewer options and more vulnerability next turn. The result? Combat is less “hit and wait” and more like chess with story beats— tactical, interactive, and team-driven. Even the quiet players at the table get a reason to act and shine. 3. Rich, Thought‑Provoking Worldbuilding – “Loneliness Is the Real Enemy” Starset isn’t just dark because it looks cool—it’s dark because it wants to say something. The game is set after a cosmic event collapses the Oort Cloud... did I pronounce that right? The Oort Cloud collapses, cutting off Earth from the rest of humanity. Civilization falls into chaos. Survivors are left scattered, alone, and desperate for connection. Every faction in the game is built around a different solution to loneliness : One turns to faith . Another to techno-utopia . One seeks control through power. Others build tight-knit communities . Each choice has promise… and danger. No side is “right”—they just reflect real human struggles. To support this, the game includes the 8 Edicts of Man , a set of philosophical rules that shape society post-collapse. The setting spans 1,000 years of history , giving Game Masters tons of material—from colony ships in deep space to dying cities on Earth. At the end of every game session, players earn experience not for killing monsters, but by sharing how their character helped others or fought against isolation . It’s a system that rewards empathy, as much as power. So yes, Starset is bleak—but it’s also hopeful. It’s a game about surviving the dark… by reaching for the light. Who Should Play Starset… and Why? So who is this game really for? Starset is for story lovers : If you're the kind of player who enjoys deep, emotional character arcs—where your decisions carry weight and shape your story—Starset was made for you. Every character is a layered person with a past, not just a collection of stats. Starset is for strategic thinkers : Starset rewards thoughtful play. Combat and problem-solving aren't just about rolling high—they're about making smart, team-based decisions. And because you’re always involved—even during someone else’s turn—there’s no dead time at the table. Starset is for sci-fi fans with a philosophical streak : Starset tackles big questions: How do we find connection in a broken world? What do we believe in when everything falls apart? If you love sci-fi that makes you think, you’ll feel right at home. And finally, Starset is for game masters who crave worldbuilding fuel : The game’s setting is rich with lore—factions, history, philosophy, politics. It's all there to spark story hooks, conversations, and custom adventures. Whether you’re building a gritty survival tale or a cosmic morality play, Starset gives you tools to explore both. To summarize, here’s Why Starset Stands Out You don’t just create a character—you live their backstory through interactive choices before the game even begins. The simultaneous action system keeps players engaged and reactive, almost all the time. Which is a fresh change to many D&D battles, if we’re being honest. The world of Starset is dark, yes—but it’s also filled with glimmers of hope , and it challenges you to explore themes like empathy, survival, and belief. And finally, every rule and system is designed to reward meaningful interaction —with the world and each other. The Bottom line? Starset doesn’t ask, “How do you win?” Instead, it asks, “What kind of person will you be when everything falls apart?” Intrigued? You can back it now on Kickstarter or check out the rulebook when it’s available.  And lastly, let me know what you think of new game coverage like this, in the comments below. Eternity TTRPG is still feeling out who we are as a channel, so your insight helps me connect you with the content you want most. Until next time!
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