Quests from the Infinite Staircase, and Other Adventures

Creating your character

We will be using all standard and expanded rules to create characters, 3rd party content will not be permitted. Please review classes and subclasses that you are interested in playing - we will discuss our preferences at the table to ensure no overlap before going into one-on-ones to discuss your backstory and more in-depth character information as GM and Player. Character sheets will be created at the table in Session 0. Please note: only one of each class will be allowed to ensure we have a nice balance amongst the team. If you believe you might have existing bonds with another character that is allowed and encouraged if backstories align. The GM will also facilitate existing bonds during this session.

Preparing for the session

Please have the following prepared: - Webcam, Microphone, and Stable Internet Connection (recommended: headphones) - Zoom (installed and updated) - D&D Beyond Account (maps and character sheets) - Dice: you are welcome to roll your own set of dice, or virtually roll through D&D Beyond. - Notepad & writing utensil

What Spencer brings to the table

As a GM I love creating environment, tension, and scenes through soundscapes (Syrinscape) as well as descriptive narration. I also love to follow the impulses of players and their characters to further develop our story.

Homebrew rules

HEALING POTIONS - Everyone starts with 1 healing potion - When taking a healing potion, you can take as a bonus action and roll for regained hit points 2d4, or use as an action for 2d4 +2 - Giving a potion to someone is an action and rolled as such INITIATIVE ADVANTAGE - If a player triggers initiative, they roll initiative with advantage CRIT AUTO SUCCESS/FAILURE *When performing a skill check or attack:* - Rolling a Nat 1 results in an automatic failure - Rolling a Nat 20 results in an automatic success HEROIC INSPIRATION - Inspiration can not be passed from player to player - Inspiration can be used as advantage on a roll of the players choice. This can be decided after a failed roll. (similar to 2014) - "Heroic Inspiration" per the 2024 rules is not freely generated based on character traits. But can be generated through action or can be given to players by the DM for creative roleplay, or generally as a reward for great game play. PRIVATE DEATH SAVES - If a player drops to 0, they begin to roll death saves as normal, but do not share the result with the table. Instead they share the result privately with the DM who will describe what the other players are seeing. Relying on roleplay to build tension in encounters. MONEY, SHOPPING, & CAPITALISM IN D&D Though money exists in the world of D&D, and you can always buy items, there is no encouragement to go shopping, get a job (for the sole purpose of earning money), gain excessive wealth, amass items, etc. Instead there is a stronger emphasis and encouragement to be resourceful, barter, trade, learn new skills, help others in exchange for goods and services that you need, use your existing resources to 'trade up', and otherwise avoid making D&D a capitalist landscape. This means that a player can: - offer to gather supplies or ingredients for a potion they want in exchange for brewing the potion for them or teaching them how to brew the potion. - trade extra inventory they aren't using or don't have a need for in order to get something they are more interested in, or have more use for. - offer to exchange lessons with a local artisan to teach each other new skills Be creative! Players are also encouraged to share items they are in search of with the DM regularly, and at the DM's discretion these items will be placed in their path - either in a shop for trade or purchase, or through treasure along their journey.

How Spencer creates a safe table

My general Rules of Engagement are as follows: - Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, and Transphobia are not tolerated. Any instances of such will result in one warning before being ejected from the game - Language: swearing/cursing should not be directed at each other - No cross chatter on video calls, private chats are fine - Should you encounter play that you are uncomfortable with, private message me as the GM to let me know what has made you uncomfortable. Should it require a break I will call for one, or should it just require a redirection of the action I will make adjustments as needed. - Breaks will be given at strategic moments of game play called by the GM or as requested. CONTENT WARNINGS: Please note that all content is subject to the players comfort. Any content can be shifted or adjusted to meet needs. The only content that is unavoidable is violence through normal combat scenarios.