The Story of Prince Ham Doe is an illustrated narrative woven into the larger WAGDIE (We Are All Going to Die) universe which is an expansive, community-driven, large-scale roleplaying campaign built in the spirit of dark fantasy and collaborative storytelling. The tale follows the fall and journey of Prince Ham Doe, a once-noble heir turned solemn wanderer, navigating through grief, betrayal, and spiritual reckoning in a realm teetering on collapse.
With striking visual storytelling, surreal environments, and mythic overtones, this story highlights Ham Doe's role within WAGDIE's chaotic ensemble of characters - offering a deeply personal look at morality, exile, and exploration through the world.
Born from the ashes of a fallen kingdom, Prince Ham Doe is a symbol of quiet tragedy and decayed nobility. Initially created as a side character in the WAGDIE campaign, Ham Doe evolved into a central figure as players connected with his powerful influence and symbolic resonance.
The character’s arc was inspired by medieval folklore, cathedral architecture, tarot archetypes, and a hero's conquest. He stands not as a traditional hero, but as a vessel of inherited guilt and spiritual burden - haunted by the ghosts of ancestors and failed ideals. Each chapter in his tale mirrors WAGDIE’s core theme: that all things - empires, identities, and gods… must one day die. and maybe be reborn?
Ham Doe’s world was built through layered collaborative improvisation. His story arc was designed to reflect both player choices and larger world events unfolding in WAGDIE. The art direction developed in tandem with gameplay - drawing from real-time character moments, in-campaign dialogue, and player-submitted lore.
Illustrations were produced with an emphasis on mood over realism, combining dark linework, aged textures, and subdued palettes. Each image serves as a frozen memory - evocative of medieval frescoes or illuminated manuscripts gone rotten. His world is both decayed and divine, sacred and profane.
The visual storytelling of Prince Ham Doe is executed through a blend of comic-style compositions, visual narratives, and interactive community involvement. Scenes are staged with theatrical lighting and symbolic framing, echoing the performative nature of similar styled D&D campaigns.
