Shadows of the Vampire Lord! Session 0 is free!! LvL1-12

Creating your character

We’ll be using D&D Beyond for character creation, utilizing the point buy system and starting at level 1. You’re welcome to use either the 2014 or 2024 rulesets. Characters can be created before Session 0, or we can build them together—just send me a message, and we’ll find what works best for you. All officially published materials are allowed. If you have a homebrew idea or third-party content you'd like to include, feel free to reach out. I’m usually flexible with approvals, but I’d love to chat first to make sure it fits the tone and balance of the campaign.

Preparing for the session

To ensure a smooth and immersive experience, you’ll need a clear microphone, a Roll20 account, and access to D&D Beyond with the Beyond20 browser extension installed. A Discord account is also required, as all voice communication and session coordination will take place there. I’ll provide the invite link to the Discord channel once you’ve joined the game.

What Zackery brings to the table

You’ll have full access to all 2024 core rulebooks, as well as the 2014 Player’s Handbook, through my D&D Beyond account. I aim to bring the world to life with character voice work "though not very well", immersive sound effects, and ambient background audio to enhance the atmosphere. I also supply session recordings, video recaps, standout character quotes, as well as a link to my notes. They show all of the above and also NPCs, Locations, Quests, etc. While I respect the rules, I tend to favor the Rule of Cool over strict rules-as-written when it leads to more cinematic, memorable moments. My goal is to create a fun, flexible, and immersive experience for all players.

Homebrew rules

🏠 House Rules These are custom rules added to enhance gameplay and table fun. Flanking: Flanking an enemy with an ally grants Advantage on melee attacks. Healing Potions - Action: Gain the potion’s maximum healing amount. Bonus Action: Roll the healing dice normally. Critical Hits: On a critical hit, deal max damage on the first set of dice, and roll the second set. Weapon Swap: You may switch weapons (e.g., stowing one and drawing another) as a bonus action. This consumes your bonus action for the turn. Death Saves (Private): All death saving throws are made privately and sent to the DM. This adds tension and uncertainty. Momentum Advantage: When a player rolls a natural 20, the next ally to act gains Advantage on their turn. Encourages teamwork and cinematic combat moments. Spell components I do not track them for normal spells however you will need the components for spells like revivify.

How Zackery creates a safe table

🛡️ Safety Tools & Player Comfort Creating a fun, inclusive, and respectful environment is a top priority at my table. Here are the safety tools I use to ensure everyone feels safe and heard throughout the game: 🟢 Lines and Veils Before Session 0, we’ll go over Lines (hard limits) and Veils (fade-to-black topics) as a group or privately. This helps us understand what content should be avoided or approached with care. 🟨 Open Door Policy Anyone can step away or pause the game at any time—no explanation required. Your well-being always comes first. ❌ X-Card (Verbal or Digital) At any time during play, if something makes you uncomfortable, simply say "X" or type it in chat. We’ll immediately stop and pivot without questions or pressure. 🗨️ Private Check-Ins I’m always available for a private message before, during, or after the session if something feels off or needs to be addressed. All concerns are handled with discretion and care.