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Create the world

  1. Open aethera.tv/app/vtt in your browser. If you see the account screen, use Create free account or Sign in, then return to the launcher. Complete any account steps the site presents.
  2. On Worlds, choose Create World.
  3. Enter The Lantern at Willowmere in World name, then choose Create world. The setup wizard opens.
Worlds launcher with Create World in the upper-right corner.
Worlds launcher with Create World in the upper-right corner. Open image to enlarge.

The five wizard steps are System & Modules, World, Players, Invitations, and Review. Follow them in order.

System & Modules

  1. For this walkthrough, keep D&D SRD and 2024 rules. Keep the module list empty while learning.
  2. For this fantasy walkthrough, keep Add optional starter content checked, keep Aethera Core Monsters selected, and uncheck Galactic Gazetteer and Starter Macros. The bestiary is optional; you can turn off starter content for a smaller practice world. Content included with your chosen game system is also available automatically.
  3. Keep Create a starter scene (Scene 1) checked. Scroll within the wizard if this option is below the visible area.
  4. Choose Next.
The system step distinguishes the game system, rules version, and optional modules.
The system step distinguishes the game system, rules version, and optional modules. Open image to enlarge.

World

  1. Enter a short description: A village beacon has gone dark. Recover its missing lens, help stranded travelers, and decide who will keep the river safe.
  2. Keep Visibility: Private, then choose Save world for these world details. Leave artwork empty for now.
  3. Set Grid type: Square, Cell size (px): 64, Distance per cell: 5, and Units: ft. Keep the selected system's diagonal rule for this exercise.
  4. Under Lighting & Fog Defaults, start with Bright day (global illumination). Keep Enable global illumination checked and uncheck Enable fog-of-war. The preset name changes to Custom when you edit a setting; that is expected.
  5. Choose Next. The scene defaults are saved through the wizard.
The World step shows a private world, a 64px grid, global illumination, and fog disabled.
The World step shows a private world, a 64px grid, global illumination, and fog disabled. Open image to enlarge.

Why 64 and 5 are different: our supplied map is 1,536 by 1,024 image pixels. At 64 pixels per square, it covers 24 by 16 squares. At 5 feet per square, that is 120 by 80 feet. Changing the distance label does not resize the map picture.

Players and Invitations

  1. In Players, keep the three extra permissions unchecked for the first rehearsal: creating tokens, managing audio, and editing journals. You will assign a player's own character separately.
  2. Choose Next. In Invitations, keep Invite role: Player.
  3. Leave invitations until chapter 8, which explains joining and character ownership together. Keep the email field empty for now.
  4. Choose Next.

Review and launch

  1. In Review, check the system, rules version, grid, starter scene, and player permissions. Scene lighting preset: Custom is expected because you turned off fog.
  2. Choose Review authoritative plan. In plain language, this asks Aethera to prepare the setup changes for your review.
  3. Read the plan, check I reviewed this exact server-authored plan and want to apply it, then choose Apply confirmed server plan.
  4. Wait for the tabletop to open. Avoid clicking Apply repeatedly while it is working.
  5. If Prepare your first session opens, use Run tour for a brief orientation or Finish later to follow this guide. Checklist ticks are reminders; do the practical checks in this guide yourself.
The final setup plan requires a checked review box before Apply confirmed server plan becomes available.
The final setup plan requires a checked review box before Apply confirmed server plan becomes available. Open image to enlarge.