How to prepare

Communication for sessions will be held on Zoom and players will be asked to be on both video and audio during sessions along with myself. Although this can be a little bit daunting at first, I find it’s the best way to help aid communication and role play between everyone 🙂 For this, players should have access to a Zoom account and a Discord account as well. If players are able to have a copy of the DnD 5e Player’s Handbook to hand it would be beneficial but not essential as all the nuts and bolts will be gone through during Session 0.

What I provide

In terms of experience, this very much ain't my first rodeo as a DM. I caught the DnD bug back in 2016 and haven't come up since. I’ve had a number of years to hone my craft and be able to provide an experience for players that is engaging and entertaining. While I do like to keep my games structured so things feel meaningful, I do usually tend to operate under the rule that generally Story > Rules (within reason) and aim to weave each character’s backstory into the story somehow. I have been on the receiving end of bad DM experiences as a player, so I know how bad DnD feels and some of the pitfalls that can cause it, which I have become quite proficient in navigating over the years. In my job as an instructor, I always enjoy introducing new students to kickboxing and watching them find their own love for it in the process. This is very much mirrored in myself as a DM, I want my players to have a good time and hopefully learn something new in the process, particularly if this is their first experience of DnD. As a musician myself, incorporating music and atmospheric sounds in my games has always been something I've done, to the point where I feel a bit odd if I am participating in a game that doesn't incorporate it. I have collected a library of music and atmospheric tracks that I incorporate into my games to help players get into the groove and immerse themselves more in the world. I'm also a theatre kid (for my sins) and use my acting and vocal skills to really try and embody the different characters within the game to also aid in immersion and make the experience more fun. I also may or may not have a voice altering app that adds to this as well... “Sam is something special. He has all the green flags: good in depth session 0, respectful play and regular check ins, organised, attentive, and hard working. The combat is always challenging and interesting. Role play is immersive as he uses voice changers, thematic music, and sound effects. The effort he puts in to back story, and the story as a whole, makes you look forward to every session.” -Munch (Current player since 2023)

Gameplay details

My main focus as a DM is to make sure everyone at the table (including myself) feels comfortable and has a good time. To help with this, I incorporate Safety Tools (Lines and Veils, Breaks etc) to help ensure that the group is a safe space for everyone involved. I also have an open policy when it comes to issues that arise for players in the game and am cool with talking things through through text chat with a player within my schedule if something comes up for them that they wish to discuss. As a new player, you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire detailing what areas you are comfortable and not comfortable to be included in game (such as horror, social issues etc) and a few more details such as how you wish for potential issues that arise in game to be dealt with. Each session will be between 3-4 hours long, with a 10-15 minute break in between, with 15 minutes or so left at the end for a short wind down and discussion of the session itself. In my experience, the best role play comes from people who are good communicators and accepting people, and that’s primarily what I look for in players: openness, enthusiasm and a willingness to understand and respect other’s boundaries. More experienced players are also welcome, but only as long as they are the type of folks who will be patient and helpful with newer players as opposed to condescending or hogging of the limelight. Players must also be LGBTQIA+ friendly and 18+ (age, not hit points). No hate speech, bigotry or discrimination towards anyone will be tolerated.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

How will character creation work

Players will be asked to complete the questionnaire mentioned above. Once this is completed, they will be invited to a Zoom call for a Session 0 with their fellow players on the adventure at at time and date that works for all (likely a Tuesday, Saturday or Sunday). If you have mates that you would like to be involved in your adventure as players, please get them to apply as well separately and specify this in your applications. The aim of Session 0 is to give everyone a chance to meet each other and myself properly, create/flesh out the characters you’ll be playing, explain the rules of the game further and discuss some of the boundaries and lines and veils outlined in the questionnaire. Once this is done, a date and time will be arranged for Session 1 of the adventure!

Combat / Tactics

Medium

Roleplay

High

Puzzles

Low

Experience level

Open to all