Happiest Dungeon Crawl on Earth

Internet

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Roll20

“Roleplay Heavy” games place the focus on the story, the characters, and the world they live within, and tend to lean hard into the various roleplaying elements of the game. These games will frequently find the party talking with NPCs, exploring the personal elements of their backstories, or even having emotional moments around the camp fire. 

Roleplay Heavy

“Rule of Cool” emphasizes creative story beats over sticking to a system’s rules as written. Players have the ability to push the limits of the rules or even break core rule mechanics at times if the Game Master thinks it is interesting, fun, or cool enough.

Rule of Cool (RoC)

Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Fantasy

Wacky

Heartwarming

After the game ends, check-in with the group and talk about how you all feel. Have an open way for the group to decompress and encourage each other to practice self-care.

Aftercare

For long games or stressful content, having built-in breaks allows the group to stay focused and process content. This time can be used for bio breaks, conversation, or any other necessities.

Breaks

Debriefing is a way to reflect on the game. Identify possible issues, highlight the good parts, and work through potential emotional bleed.

Debriefing

Lines and Veils set the boundaries of the games. Lines are hard limits for content the group doesn't want to participate in, this means that content will not be in game, referenced in game, or alluded to. Veils are soft limits, meaning that when the content arises it might be mentioned, but not described, or it could mean that when the content shows up, it results in a “fade-to-black”.

Lines and Veils

This checklist is used to set expectations and content boundaries before the game starts, and allows players to select from multiple existing triggers, or add their own.

Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist

Open-Door is an assurance that anyone in the group can take a break from the game for their own safety and well-being without judgement. This should be made clear to the group.

Open Door

Session 0s are used to start the game, opening up with communication, setting expectations, and discussing any safety tools that will be used at the table.

Session 0

Stars and Wishes are used to reflect and discuss feedback in a positive way. Stars are used for things that participants enjoyed in the game. Wishes are things that participants would like to see in the future. Both players and the GM can express their stars and wishes to make the game better.

Stars and Wishes

X, N, and O Cards are check-in tools. X-Cards are used to indicate that a participant is uncomfortable with the current content, often resulting in a change, rewind, or skip of the aforementioned content. N-Cards can be used by participants if they feel content is heading towards an X card, often resulting in a change or a “fade to back”. O-Cards are used to check-in on the group and ensure that everyone is comfortable continuing with the content.

X, N, and O Cards

I'm Siobhan (Shiv-awn) or you can call me Shiv! I'm a queer, neurodivergent actor who's been playing TTRPGs since 2008. I have had most of my experience in DND but I have played things like World of Darkness, Shadowrun, many of the Powered By the Apocalypse systems (Monsterhearts, Avatar, Monster of the Week). I also love learning indie systems that I find on Kickstarter. My personal favorites are Household and Raven. I am a relatively newer GM, mostly running one shots for friends or coworkers. Though, I know the games I run inside and out. I have a background in theater both in acting and writing. My favorite pastime besides tabletop is writing. My games will be extremely role-play heavy, but do not think you need to be an Oscar winner to have fun. I love to walk anyone new to the hobby through the usual growing pains of getting started and have you leaving my table confident. I encourage open communication and employ safety tools to make sure that none of this experience is stressful, uncertain, or distressing to you. My games are heavily influenced by media I consume, and I hope seeing things you're familiar with will help you learn faster, because you have a point of reference. I hope to see you at my table and we can create a wonderful story!

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