How to prepare

You'll need a webcam (if you opt into video), mic, and free accounts on D&D Beyond, Discord, Zoom, and Forge VTT (which is the version of FoundryVTT hosted in the cloud instead of on my home computer). Don't worry about knowing the rules by heart or having experience with TTRPGs: I am a walking/talking human tutorial for new players.

What I provide

I am a storyteller and we are going to tell the story YOU want to tell. I create scores of NPCs and try to give them all unique personalities, voices, habits, and motivations. No two campaigns have the same plot, because I customize everything for your PCs. This is as close to an open sandbox as possible while still using a 5e module. I reward investigation, planning, and social interaction. I always reward players who come up with unique or creative ways to solve problems, and there are no stupid questions (e.g., "Can I swing across the room on the chandelier?" "Heck yeah, roll an Acrobatics check!") I generally follow the rules as written, along with some modifications to keep the game moving (e.g., if the battle is clearly won, rather than sit around for another 4 rounds whittling away at a monster's HP, I may ask if "How do you want to end it?"), but I am also not opposed to the Rule of Cool, especially in climactic moments! My games are high on RP. For important interactions, I use an easy-to-learn social encounter system based loosely on Pathfinder's Intrigue rules. The Underdark is dangerous, but there is often a way to avoid combat, including running away, if you want. That said, my combats are challenging and interesting (lots of modified monsters and varied settings) and character death is always a possibility. If you want to use a voice or accent, that is awesome, but you are also free to narrate your character's actions in the first or third person: e.g., "Beatrice is suspicious of this haughty noble and tries to direct the conversation to learn more about his background" or "I don't believe him, but I want to convince him that I do." As far as resources go, I use FoundryVTT on ForgeVTT (so you just need access to the ForgeVTT website and not your own copy of FoundryVTT). I have a subscription to D&D Beyond for creating characters and even making rolls and using your character sheet during sessions if you prefer. I also use a ton of add-ons and other services, such as Syrinscape, dScryb, assets and mods from Patreon accounts for awesome maps and art, and even some custom-created maps and tokens, plus the Collectors Edition module customized for FoundryVTT (all of which I own). (I do sometimes use a bit of generative AI - like that provided in Photoshop - to modify maps, assets, etc.)

Gameplay details

I am a firm believer in getting everyone's input at the first session about what kind of game we want to play. I have DM'd for shiny-faced children and grizzled grognards alike. I used to host game nights at my game store (owned a FLGS for 10 years), so there is literally no kind of player I have not had fun gaming with!

Content warnings

Safety tools used

How will character creation work

Characters will begin at level 1 and we'll be using D&D Beyond (I have a GM subscription so you'll have access to all the options). Characters will be built prior to the beginning of the game, and I will be available for 1 on 1 conversations and questions about your choices. Our first session will include some Session Zero content to make sure we are all on the same page, before diving right into the story.

Combat / Tactics

High

Roleplay

High

Puzzles

Medium

Experience level

Open to all