A Beginner's Tale in Phandalin | LGBTQ+ ✓ | D&D Beyond

Creating your character

All of the character creation and sheets will be handled through D&D Beyond (DDB). I own all of the content required for players to create characters through the character creator. All characters will start at level 1. Players can either choose to create their character through the standard process presented on D&D Beyond or adopt one of the sample characters I supply for the campaign (visible in the DDB campaign). Stats will be determined through the Point-Buy method to keep it simple and balanced with the sample character sheets. We will only use the 2024 version of the core rules of D&D 5e for this with very few cases of homebrew changes or expanded content.

Preparing for the session

Here are the essential for participating in this campaign - A D&D Beyond account to create our characters. - A Discord account with a microphone for voice chat. - Join my discord server (provided link in adventure message) - Join my DDB campaign (provided link in adventure message) - Fill out the player survey (provided link in adventure message) Beyond the essentials, here are some ways to prepare yourself: - Webcam for the discord calls, encouraged but not required.

What Rafael Veloz brings to the table

I am providing the access to my owned content on D&D Beyond. This includes the core 5e 2024 rules along with the content to be used on the D&D Beyond Maps, the integrated VTT platform of the toolset. For the purposes of this beginner game, we are sticking to the rules as written (RAW) as a default. No homebrew revisions of rules will be added. Any "homebrew rules" are more addition to improve player connections and not towards revising game mechanics. As a part of my DM style, I utilize the following to my games: - I try my best with distinct voices for most characters, playing around with different accents, tones, and more. When attempting cultural accents, I approach them with fun and care. - I provided a mix of well-sourced and handcrafted handouts related to the game at play to add a tactile sense of immersion. - I provided a mix of ambient music and scene-oriented music for important moment such as combats or intense negotiations. - I will provided a visually gratifying yet simple-to-use experience with D&D Beyond Maps as a VTT for players to visually interact with the game and further spark the imagination.

Homebrew rules

End of Show Star: At the end of each session, the players come together to vote for their "MVP" of the game. This can be based of an MVP moment in combat or just a highlight of a particularly cool, funny, or intense moment engaged by a player.

How Rafael Veloz creates a safe table

I have a variety of ways to inform plays of safety measures taken to ensure the best comfort and engagement with the campaign. First amongst that list is a solid lines and veils survey (what I refer to as a Green, Yellow, and Red Consent survey) which will narrow down the lines and veils of the players in accordance with the most prevalent content warnings down to the obscure phobias and such. Second amongst that is a Session Zero (free) that will introduce the players to each other and myself as I go over the expectations laid out for both players-to-dm and vice-versa. If time permits, we will also have a playtest combat of sorts to get characters familiar with how I enjoy my combats and a test of the rules. Third, I take time after each session to evaluate the Stars and Wishes for each player (alongside the "End of Show" Star decision). This way, we can collectively evaluate the likes and wants for the campaign as we progress through it all. As an extra, I will ask to the players during session zero if they consent to having the sessions recorded for the purposes of notetaking improvised moments and for players to look back and evaluate the games further.