The Calamity of Valku | lvl 7+ | 5e 2014
The great dragon Rhaeva has emerged from the volcano of Tresor. Ash blankets over the sky and as the shadows darken something else stirs within them.
About the adventure
🌊 Sail around the Isles of Valku ⚔️ Rise to power and fight back 🗺️ Collaborative world building 🏆 Your character your legend 🐲 Helpful DM who follows the rule of cool and ecourages creativity ☕ Homebrew creatures abound to keep even veterans on their toes The Ancient Red Dragon Rhaeva has awoken from her slumber. Erupting from the once dormant volcano within the centre of the Valku Isles. Some islands have disappeared while others have been conjoined by lava flows. The Oligarchy is scrambling to retain control of the archipelago while engaging the draconic threat. Local governments turn to those willing to put their life on the line to aid them. You are one such adventurer ready to do what needs to be done. Even though you may start small this could be your chance to become a legend.
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Heavy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
About me
Hi, I'm Sphinx! I specialize in immersive, player-driven storytelling where your characters shape the world around them. With over a decade of experience and over a thousand games hosted, I ensure every session is filled with excitement, roleplay, and meaningful choices. My games are dynamic, collaborative, rich with engaging characters, tactical challenges, and unexpected twists. Top 5 most run systems: - Dungeons & Dragons 5e - Daggerheart - Dragonbane - Starfinder - My own System If you don’t see a listing that fits your preferences, reach out to me! I’d love to tailor a game to fit your vision.
View Profile →Reviews (112)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Storytelling
Teacher
Sphinx conjures engaging and compelling stories in a fully fleshed-out world. There are clearly times when players can make choices that have real impacts. He has a great way of sticking to the rules, without letting them slow down the pacing. Great communication with every player, so would definitely suit a newer player.
Ryan was a great GM, I was in the game with Dominic (Another reviewer, did not know them before this.) and we absolutely had a blast. Creativity was absolutely rewarded and even though we went well over the time on the end section Ryan stuck around to make sure we all concluded the final shenanigans our characters had gotten themselves into. I'm looking forward to his longer campaign that I joined. I would highly recommend this GM.
I am a fairly new player to DND, and getting into online DND was a scary experience for me as I didn't know what to expect when it came to finding a game, a DM, or a group. When I first met Ryan, he was very easy to talk too, he helped me build my character into the world without forcing any specific agenda on me. When I would ask him if I could do certain things or make design changes he never had any issues and would build my excitement up by showing his own interest in it. I really enjoy exploring the world as well, Ryan is very good at making you feel immersed in the world without overwhelming you with information, and is able to spin a story that keeps you locked in. An aspect that I didn't realize the importance of until delving more into the DND community is the rule of a safety card or an "x" card. Ryan always made it a priority for all of us to feel comfortable in game and out. I would definitely recommend Ryan as a DM to new players and veterans alike, as I am sure he will surely give make you excited to play the game every week!
Sphinx is a great dungeon master that has patience and wants his players to shine when they come up with silly/goofy ideas. Has a great understanding of the D&D 5e rules and is happy to sit down with new players at character creation to guide newer/returning players.He is not shy to homebrew rules/creatures as needed and happy to facilitate the rule of cool. Games always start on time which I personally greatly appreciate.
Fantastic opportunity to learn the ropes of 5e. Provides a woven, layered narrative that's rich with intrigue, suspense, and riveting combat that gives you plenty of opportunities to both plan and strategize as well as make hair-splitting decisions which alter events and outcomes. Always a blast to take part in!
Character creation
Creating your character
🔴Characters will be made towards the end of session 0. 🔴Characters will begin at lvl 1 using the races and classes from any published WoTC book. 🔴We will be using the standard stat array from the Players Handbook. 🔴Character backstories do not need to be decided until after session 0. 🔴Characters may be changed and editted up until lvl 3
The current group is: Wild Magic Barbarian Spirits Bard Evocation Wizard Gunslinger Ranger Swashbuckler Rogue
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To prepare for the game please make sure you have the following: 🔴Roll20 and Discord account set up. 🔴Please also make sure you have a working mic. 🔴If you are a beginner watch the Handbooker Helper videos on the Critical Role youtube channel.
What Sphinx brings to the table
As this is a roll20 game everything will be on that platform. I custom make battlemaps and creatures to fit the campaign. I have access to; Players Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Masters Guide, Volos Guide, Tashas Cauldron, Xanathars, Fizbans Treasury, Guilds of Ravnica and an assortment of 3rd party materials. I can share these with players as needed and when I purchase any new content and choose to add it to the campaign the players will also gain access to those options.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Microphone
Internet
Platforms used
Safety
How Sphinx creates a safe table
The Calamity of Valku is a homebrew adventure starting at lvl 1 until lvl 17 and suitable for a player of any experience level. Take part in a grand adventure that will see you start from humble beginnings and rise to meet the challenge of dispatching an ancient dragon as they lay claim to your home. The adventure will start in the major trading port of Nelstar [Nel-Star] on the eastern side of the archipelago. The Oligarchy is calling aid in these dire times drawing people from all over the continent. Was your home destroyed during Rhaevas' awakening? Is it now under threat? Are you only here for fame and fortune? Actions have consequences and NPCs will react to the group dependant on their choices. Time is always ticking, if a time limit is placed on an objective I will be keeping track to maintain a believable world. If the group doesnt do a mission another NPC adventuring party may do it instead. Combat and Roleplay is even in most of my games but this can change dependant on the group and the current questline. Some sessions may have no combat and some may be all combat.