A Recipe for Adventure | D&D Beginner-friendly starter adventure

How to prepare

This game is suitable for total beginners. You don't need to prepare anything related to D&D. You WILL need the following basic tech items for the Zoom meeting itself: 🖥️ computer or tablet 💻 🎥 webcam and microphone 🎙️ (laptop or tablet built-ins are fine) 👥 Zoom app (or web interface) I will send you some informational links that you can explore or not, and I will walk you through everything from the first session when we make characters together. If you're a beginner, or returning after a long hiatus, I'll introduce important rules step by step as they become highlighted in the actual gameplay. I won't blast you with them all at once, nor will I leave you completely in the dark. 🎲 It is definitely fun if you can get your hands on a set of those colorful, many-sided dice, but I will send you a link to some free, easy-to-use virtual online dice if you can't. Optionally, if you hate math and just want your character sheet to do all the work for you autofilling, rolling digital dice, and calculating as you roll, you can open a free D&D Beyond account. You automatically gain access to everything in the free basic ruleset, and I can share all my collected digital resources with you there as well to expand your options-- And that's it! You're ready for the first session together, which is: Free Session-0 Your first game session will be free. This allows us all to get a feel for each other and what we want out of the game and group before we get started. I will introduce the campaign and we will start making characters together.

What I provide

To all my games, I bring rich engaging character interactions from my acting experience, real understanding of sword combat from my rapier & dagger fencing experience (full contact), and the patience and improv skills from decades of special education and classroom English teaching. I can also help with custom character art as well as access to the online rulebooks (through my D&D Beyond subscription) upon request. These things are not absolutely necessary for you, but I'm happy to provide them as you like-- Gameplay Style: 🎭 Theater-Inspired Gameplay Character-Driven Stories: I focus heavily on the motivations and development of both player characters (PCs) and non-player characters (NPCs). Voice and Body Language: Expect lively NPCs with distinct voices and mannerisms to enhance the realism and fun. Supportive of Roleplay: Whether you're outgoing or shy, I'm here to help you engage at your comfort level, using my directing skills to guide and encourage. 📜 Flexible and Nuanced Rules as Guidelines: I use D&D rules to foster fairness and balance but adapt them to prioritize fun and group creativity. Collaborative Storytelling: My sessions are a co-creative process. I love when players surprise me and take the story in unexpected directions! Open and Improvisational: I prepare enough to provide structure, but I'm always ready to adapt and evolve the narrative based on player actions. Game Environment: 🌈 Inclusive and Safe Space Diversity Welcomed: My games are open to everyone— LGBTQ+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and pacifist players. Everyone should feel at home at my table. Cultural Sensitivity: Drawing from over two decades of living and teaching abroad, I foster an atmosphere of respect and understanding that values diverse experiences. Beginner Friendly: If you're new to tabletop RPGs, I'm here to guide you, ensuring you feel confident and engaged. Easy Setup: Enjoy playing without the need for lots of downloads or high-tech setups, making it easy to get started and keeping the focus on imagination and storytelling. Low Combat, High Social Interaction: Expect a focus on social engagement and exploration, with combat taking a supportive role to the storytelling.

Gameplay details

Probably the most comprehensive content warning I can give is that if you watched the "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" series movies and could handle anything you saw in them, then you will be fine in my games. And if you are mostly there but have a few specific triggers you want to fade out or avoid entirely, please mention them in a direct message to me or in the very first Session-0 where we will be discussing player expectations, general themes, and safety tools. My games are set in an escapist fantasy world where both good and bad things happen, and both fun and danger are to be had. But this isn't a grimdark grotesque, nor a gritty political dystopia. I'm definitely looking out for everyone's enjoyment. In fact, if you love a little hint of Ghibli in your world you might feel right at home in this adventure--

Content warnings

Safety tools used

How will character creation work

I will guide you through making characters together for the first 1-2 sessions. We will be creating characters using the standard 2024 5e rules starting from 1st level. Then we will break the rules modestly to individually customize them and better reflect your image of the character. We will also briefly discuss how all your characters are connected and further adjust the details (or even add special bonuses) accordingly. I will send you a PDF character sheet that you can print on paper or edit directly on your device, or you can create digitally on D&D Beyond if you have a free account there.

Combat / Tactics

Low

Roleplay

High

Puzzles

Medium

Experience level

Beginner