Escape from the Haunted Mansion! (LVL 7-12, New Campaign)

How to prepare

Prior to the game, each player should have the following: -A completed character sheet in my DnDBeyond campaign. -A computer. -Functional headphones, a microphone, and a camera all connected to your computer and ready to use. -The Zoom app, downloaded and ready to use on their computer. -A reliable internet connection. -A discord account with access to my discord server. -An idea for how to introduce/describe your character to the other players. -A picture to represent your character. Prior to the game, please send me: -Any info on your character’s backstory (via google doc, ideally). -Your character's pronouns. -A picture to represent your character. You can send me a link to a picture via SPG or you can DM me on Discord. My discord username is: acethegm If you have the option, I recommend using an external microphone (such as from a pair of headphones) rather than the built-in microphone on your computer/laptop because the audio quality is usually much better, which makes it easier for everyone to communicate. For ongoing campaigns like this, I request all players join my discord server for consistent and organized communication. I have several discord channels on my server dedicated to communicating about this specific campaign. There is an “essential info” channel with a zoom link for us to connect via video call. There should also be a zoom link and a link to my DDB campaign in the prep materials section of this adventure, which you will be able to see once you sign up for the campaign.

What I provide

For the game, I will provide: -Use of my DnDBeyond campaign with access to all the official 5e sourcebooks (with the exception of any recent publications). -A pro Zoom license for convenient and consistent video call quality. -A robust world and story to take part in. -A play style driven by character choices, collaborative storytelling, and improv comedy. -Detailed, custom-made maps (where applicable), shared via Zoom’s screen sharing. -Voice acting of various unique characters. -Background music and ambience to set the mood. -Years of experience as a professional Game Master. -An inclusive and welcoming attitude 😀

Gameplay details

SAFETY TOOLS When we meet first via video chat for our session 0, we will start by reviewing the functionality of all safety tools, getting to know each other a little bit, discussing house rules and preferences, and then if we have time transition into a practice session. I will explain the open door policy, when we will take breaks, the X/N/O system, and the process for post-session debriefs (including stars and wishes). For the X/N/O cards, I ask that everyone hold up their arms or hands on camera as the X/N/O symbols. If that does not work for anyone, we can easily find another method. Debriefs will happen at the end of each session. They usually take about 15 minutes so please allow for this extra time in each session. We will review what happened in the session and evaluate the session as a whole via the stars and wishes methodology. Since horror is a large part of this campaign, I also ask that each player message me privately to let me know about any types of content that they are sensitive to (i.e. triggers). GAMEPLAY Throughout each session, I will screen-share via Zoom so everyone can see the photoshop window on my computer. Zoom’s screen-sharing function is how players will see battle maps, character pictures, and other game-related content as well as hear music. There is no interactivity, but otherwise it looks and feels a lot like a VTT. Please be prepared to have your camera on while we play. If you can't or don’t want to have your camera on, please let me know in advance. I keep my camera on for the entire session and I request that all players do the same unless there are mitigating circumstances. I ask for everyone’s cameras to be on as much as possible because D&D is inherently a collaborative and social game. Seeing the faces of those you are playing with increases everyone’s ability to communicate and connect with each other, which directly improves everyone’s overall experience.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

How will character creation work

CHARACTER SHEET GUIDELINES: -Level 7 characters via DnDBeyond.com (DDB). -No homebrew, partnered content, or anything that's not in the official D&D sourcebooks. However, just ask me if there’s something in one of those categories that you’re excited about and I’m happy to consider it. -Use standard array or point buy to set ability scores. -Optional Class Features are allowed. -Add the starting equipment package to your inventory OR the listed gold value (not both). -Add 550 gold pieces worth of NON-MAGICAL equipment to your inventory. Make sure to consider any expensive spell components you might need such as incense (for the find familiar spell), pearls (for the identify spell), or diamonds for (the revivify spell). Any extra gold can be added to your inventory. Here is a list of non-magical equipment: https://www.dndbeyond.com/equipment -Add either one uncommon magical item or two greater healing potions to your inventory. Once you have joined my DDB campaign, you can look at the list of uncommon magic items here: https://tinyurl.com/55pf4k7c -Please choose a picture to represent your character and send it to me. You can send me the picture directly via discord (AceTheGM) or send me a link to the picture via SPG. -Message me if you need help or have any questions! CHARACTER BACKSTORY GUIDELINES: -Your character should have a motivation to explore the haunted mansion as well as the ability to work collaboratively with the other player characters. -Due to the nature of this campaign, full/detailed character backstories are not essential. I would love maybe a paragraph to understand your character’s general personality and motives. Otherwise, you are welcome to write as much or as little backstory as you like. I will incorporate what I can, but please be prepared that backstories will not have much influence on the campaign. ADDITIONAL INFO: Players will create character sheets on DDB. You’ll need to make an account on DDB first, if you don’t already have one. It’s free to make an account and there are various methods to do so. Here is a link to sign up for an account: https://www.dndbeyond.com/create-account After you sign up for the campaign on SPG, you will see a link to my DDB Campaign under the "Prep Materials" section of the adventure on SPG. If you make a character in my campaign (using said link), you will have access to all the official D&D 5e Sourcebook material when choosing your character options. If you make a character on DDB, but not in my campaign, you will only have access to the most basic character options that are free on DDB. Players are encouraged to make character sheets on their own and just send them to me for review. However, for any new/beginner players, I like to schedule an extra one-on-one meeting prior to the game. We can use this meeting to review their character sheet together and/or talk through the process of making one.

Combat / Tactics

Medium

Roleplay

Low

Puzzles

High

Experience level

Intermediate