A World of Many Stories

Creating your character

Your journey begins in chains. Before your character had a name, before they wielded steel or spell, they were caught—exiled, arrested, or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. When the story begins, your party will awaken as prisoners, stripped of freedom and purpose, thrown together in a world that doesn't care if you survive. But from that darkness, something greater will rise. This shared beginning allows us to build a party with strong story ties and immediate stakes, giving you a dramatic launch point into the wider world and its ancient prophecy. Your story begins on the brink of war. A fanatical cult known as The Awakening is working to shatter the ancient locks that keep a primordial evil—the Unknown—bound beneath the world. As the conflict escalates, you find yourself carrying much-needed supplies to a frontline military camp actively fighting against this rising threat. Who you are, where you come from, and why you’ve chosen (or been forced) to be here is entirely up to you. Character creation will take place before Session One and will be handled through Roll20. Once you join the game’s Discord server, you’ll receive the Roll20 link and gain access to the full suite of campaign resources. You’ll have a wide variety of races, classes, and subclasses available—including many from official and expanded material—and we’re always happy to help you build the character you envision. Characters will begin at Level 3, using point buy or standard array for ability scores. Most official content is allowed; if you’re curious about a homebrew or third-party option, just ask! We welcome creative builds that fit the setting while keeping things balanced and story-focused. No full backstory is required up front—we’ll collaborate to tie your character into the world and the events surrounding the prison where the journey truly begins. Whether you imagine yourself as a warlock burdened by a forbidden pact, a noble forced into rebellion, or a cleric framed for a crime they didn’t commit, everyone starts on equal footing. Shared captivity becomes shared escape… and from there, the world is yours to shape.

Preparing for the session

To step into this world of ancient magic, airship kingdoms, and a rising darkness, there are a few important steps to prepare before the first session. This ensures everyone is ready to dive in fully and helps build a shared experience from day one. 1. Join the Discord Server Once you’ve been accepted into the game, I’ll send you an invite to our Discord server. This is our central hub for everything—communication, scheduling, announcements, sharing lore, and building characters together. You’ll also meet your fellow players, ask questions, and be kept up to date on the story as it unfolds. 2. Create or Log Into Roll20 Our games will be run on Roll20, a free virtual tabletop. Once you're in Discord, you’ll receive a link to the campaign on Roll20 where you’ll create your character directly on the platform. Everything—your sheet, dice, maps, and combat—will run through there. 3. Build Your Character Character creation happens before the first session. You’ll begin at Level 3, using point buy or standard array for stats. A wide variety of official races, classes, and subclasses are available. You’ll have access to expanded character options and world-specific lore to guide your build. If you’re unsure about homebrew or want help with backstory connections, just reach out—we’re happy to help. 4. Create or Upload Character Art You’re encouraged to create your character art through HeroForge (a free 3D mini builder) or any art platform of your choice. If you’re not into visuals, that’s totally fine—but having a token or portrait helps bring the world to life on Roll20. Once these steps are complete, you’ll be fully ready to begin your journey—in chains, in the dark, with strangers at your side… and a world waiting to be changed by your choices.

What Bradley Bondar brings to the table

I run a game that’s focused on immersion, creativity, and meaningful player choices. Whether you’re brand new to D&D or a longtime veteran, I want you to feel like you’re part of a world that reacts to what you do and rewards thinking outside the box. I use a wide range of character voices to help bring NPCs to life. From gruff dwarves to noble elves to eerie spirits, each one will have a personality and tone you’ll remember. I also use music and sound effects throughout the session to help set the mood—tense, dramatic, or ridiculous, depending on the moment. Combat in my games is tactical, fast-paced, and designed to give you options. I use Roll20’s dynamic lighting to create encounters where terrain, vision, and positioning actually matter. You can use the environment to your advantage, push enemies off cliffs, collapse structures, or turn a fight on its head with a smart move. Every class should feel like it has a role to play, and no turn should feel like a waste. I stick close to the rules, but I’m a big believer in the Rule of Cool. If you have a clever idea that fits the scene—even if it’s not strictly rules-as-written—I’ll work with you to make it happen. Fun, momentum, and storytelling always come first. At the end of the day, I want the game to feel alive. Expect strong visuals, memorable characters, dramatic moments, and a world that pushes back. If you're here to roleplay, solve problems, think tactically, and tell a great story with the group, you’re going to fit right in.

Homebrew rules

I run a flexible, player-first game where fun, immersion, and narrative weight take priority over strict rules. That means I’m always open to adjusting or rewriting mechanics if it improves the experience for everyone at the table. If something feels clunky, confusing, or just not fun in the moment, we’ll work through it together. That said, there are two key homebrew rules to be aware of: 1. Death Saving Throws Are Rolled in Private If your character is knocked unconscious and starts making death saving throws, you’ll roll them privately with me instead of out in the open. This adds a layer of tension and mystery for the party—you won’t know if your ally is hanging on by a thread or already gone. It raises the emotional stakes and makes in-combat decisions feel even more meaningful. 2. Firearm Malfunction Rules Firearms are absolutely allowed in this world, but they come with a bit of added risk. If you roll a natural 1 on an attack with a firearm, your weapon will jam. On your next turn, you’ll need to spend a bonus action to try to unjam it. This makes firearms feel a little more volatile and realistic, and helps balance their power with a bit of mechanical flavor. Overall, I’m very open to creative builds, custom features, or alternate class options—as long as they serve the story and don’t break the game for others. If you’ve got a cool homebrew idea or a specific mechanic you’d like to explore, just talk to me. I love collaborating with players to make characters feel unique and meaningful. The goal is to create a world that feels alive and responsive—so while the rules are important, the story always comes first.

How Bradley Bondar creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort are a top priority for me, and I want every player to feel respected, heard, and supported throughout our games. To make sure of this, I use several tools and practices that help us set boundaries and check in regularly. Before we even start playing, I send out a Lines and Veils document to all players. This is a simple guideline where you can let me know what themes or content you’re uncomfortable with or want to avoid. It helps me tailor the story and encounters so everyone feels safe and engaged. We also have a free Session 0 before the first game. This session is an opportunity for us to go over the world, the rules, character creation, and the tone of the game. Most importantly, it’s a time to discuss potential triggers or sensitive topics that might come up. We can talk about expectations, questions, and how to handle anything that might be difficult. It’s a judgment-free space to make sure everyone is on the same page. During the game, I use a system of X, N, and O signals for comfort levels—where: Players can send these signals directly and privately to me via message, so if something comes up that bothers you, you don’t have to share it with the entire group. This helps keep communication open and respectful without putting anyone on the spot. After each session, I encourage players to share any feedback or concerns, either in a group debrief or privately. I’m always available for one-on-one conversations to help process anything that came up during the game. My goal is to create a space where everyone can have fun, explore tough stories safely, and support one another. If you ever feel uneasy or want to talk about anything, you can reach out to me anytime.