Fantasy Grounds - Cosmere - Mistborn Hope in Ashes delivers a virtual tabletop roleplaying experience set in Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn universe. This module adapts an introductory adventure for the Cosmere Roleplaying Game, letting groups explore the Final Empire through Fantasy Grounds software on PC. Players take on the roles of skaa rebels and thieves in a world ruled by the Lord Ruler, where metallic arts shape every conflict and intrigue.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on group storytelling guided by a game master, with players controlling pregenerated characters who wield abilities from the Metallic Arts. Sessions unfold through structured scenes that introduce core mechanics step by step, including skill tests resolved with a d20 and modifiers, the Plot Die for raising stakes, and three distinct defense types: Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual. Combat mixes direct confrontation with clever use of Allomancy and Feruchemy, while non-combat challenges emphasize infiltration, heists, and navigating the Steel Ministry's oversight.
Adversary profiles provide ready opponents such as Steel Inquisitors and Ministry agents, complete with tokens and maps for visual tracking inside the virtual tabletop. Six pregenerated characters allow immediate play as Mistings, Hazekillers, and similar archetypes, each with unique paths and talents tied to the setting's lore. The system supports both new players learning through guided encounters and experienced groups expanding into larger campaigns.
Game Modes
Hope in Ashes functions as a focused introductory adventure designed for 1st-level characters and runs as a short campaign of two to three sessions. It operates in a cooperative tabletop format where one participant serves as game master and the others control player characters, with all elements handled through Fantasy Grounds tools for dice rolls, map interaction, and record tracking.
No separate competitive or solo modes exist. The structure prioritizes teaching the ruleset while advancing a narrative of heist, betrayal, and rebellion rebuilding, making it suitable for one-time groups or as the start of ongoing play in the Mistborn Era 1 setting.
Setting and Characters
The adventure places participants in Luthadel during the height of the Final Empire, where ash falls constantly and the skaa live under strict control. Players begin as a thieving crew attempting one final job to earn entry into the rebellion, only to face a betrayal that shifts their role to rebuilding a shattered cell. Key elements include outmaneuvering Ministry forces, recruiting allies, and striking back against overwhelming authority.
Pregenerated characters highlight different heroic paths and metallic art abilities, giving players varied entry points into the world without requiring prior system knowledge. The module includes ten adversary profiles that populate encounters with setting-appropriate threats.
Is It Worth Playing?
This module serves as an accessible entry point for anyone interested in the Cosmere Roleplaying Game or the Mistborn setting through a virtual tabletop. It supplies everything needed for immediate play, including the adventure text, pregenerated characters, maps, tokens, and rule-teaching scenes, provided the Mistborn Starter Rules are available. Groups seeking a structured introduction to heist-driven storytelling and metallic powers will find the format effective for short campaigns or onboarding new participants.
Support for the Cosmere ruleset continues with additional handbooks and adventures, allowing seamless expansion beyond the initial sessions. The experience suits players who enjoy collaborative narrative play with digital assistance rather than fast-paced action or large-scale multiplayer formats.
