Learn to Play | Where Chaos Rings | Beginner Friendly

Learn to Play | Where Chaos Rings | Beginner Friendly

At the edge of civilization are the Borderlands. Here, dark forces are beginning to gather, threatening the people who have made this their home.

TYPE

Campaign

LEVELS

1–5

LANGUAGE

English

EXPERIENCE

Beginner

AGE

All Ages
2 NEEDED TO START
$20.00

/ Session

Details

Weekly / Sunday - 10:00 PM UTC

Session Duration / 3–4 hours

0 / 5 Seats Filled

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About the adventure

Session 0 Free The Keep on the Borderlands has long stood as a bastion of civilization against the wild frontier, but something sinister stirs in the shadows. What begins as simple requests to help around the Keep quickly evolves into a web of conspiracy, betrayal, and supernatural horror that threatens everything you've come to trust. Three factions vie for control of the borderlands: the Keep's leader struggles to maintain order from his fortress, goblins launch increasingly bold raids from their wilderness stronghold, and whispered rumors speak of a cult practicing dark rituals in hidden caves. But in a land where allies and enemies wear familiar faces, can you determine who to trust before it's too late? The person offering you shelter might be planning your downfall, and those warning you about dangers may be the very threats you should fear most. This enhanced version of the classic D&D starter set transforms random monster encounters into a cohesive narrative of political intrigue and gradual revelation. Players will explore four distinct wilderness regions, and make meaningful choices that determine the fate of the borderlands. Featuring investigation, roleplay, tactical combat, and moral complexity, this campaign rewards players who pay attention to details and think beyond simply swinging swords. Perfect for players who enjoy mystery elements, political intrigue, and campaigns where their choices have lasting consequences. New players welcome - the adventure includes guidance for both players while delivering a sophisticated storyline that will keep veterans engaged.

Game style

Roleplay Heavy

Combat Heavy

Rule of Cool (RoC)

Meet the Game Master

5.0

(8)

Queer
Neurodivergent
Teacher/Educator
Voice Actor

1 year on StartPlaying

7 games hosted

Highly rated for: Teacher, Sets the Mood, Creativity

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

About me

I’ve been playing and DMing TTRPGs for over 16 years, and I love helping players create unforgettable stories together. My deepest experience is in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, but I’ve also run and played in a variety of systems including Daggerheart, Masks, D&D 4e, Epyllion, and more. At my table, the focus is on collaborative storytelling, immersive roleplay, and exciting encounters that challenge both characters and players in fun, memorable ways. Whether you’re a brand-new adventurer or a seasoned hero, I want to make sure everyone has a chance to shine. My games are inclusive, beginner-friendly, and LGBTQ+ friendly — I want players to feel welcome, comfortable, and celebrated for who they are. I love running for a mix of play styles, from tactical combat lovers to roleplay-heavy storytellers, and I tailor each game to the group’s vibe. If you’re looking for a DM who brings energy, flexibility, and a love of cinematic storytelling, I’d be excited to roll some dice with you!

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Character creation

Creating your character

SESSION 0 WILL BE FREE Characters will be made at session 0 using D&D 5.5 (2024) rules. Stats will be chosen using point buy method. Characters will start at level 1. Create a free account on D&D Beyond- this is a great tool for making character sheets, as it makes things smooth and easy. Homebrew is okay with prior approval, and I have many options as well if you would like to choose them.

What to expect

Preparing for the session

You will need the following accounts, which you can set up for free: -Roll20: This is where I will be hosting the battlemaps, images, and music. -D&D Beyond: This is where we build character sheets. -Discord: This is where we will have our video chat during the game session. We will play with cameras on so that we can see each other's reactions and get more into the game. You will need to complete the Deck of Player Safety prior to Session 0

What Johnathan brings to the table

I have a Master Tier D&D Beyond subscription providing you with all of the books in my library, as well as a Pro subscription on Roll20 to do the same there. I play music to provide ambience during the game session to immerse us more fully. I enjoy the Rule of Cool when it is fitting. I want to create awesome stories with you! I try my best to make unique voices for my NPCs.

Homebrew rules

1) Death saves are replaced by levels of Exhaustion. When you fail a Death Save, you gain a level of Exhaustion. If you succeed three Death Saves, you are still stable at 0 hp. 2) Natural 20/Natural 1 on skill checks give a conditional +2/-2 on the final result of the roll. 3) When a creature rolls a Natural 1 on an attack roll, enemies within melee range of them can make an opportunity attack. 4) If you roll a critical hit, you double your damage done including modifiers. 5) Using a healing potion as an Action heals you the full amount. 6) I do not require multiclass requirements. Just a roleplay reason for the multiclass. 7) You can choose to give yourself Heroic Inspiration during a d20 test, but doing so gives me Villainous Inspiration. I can spend it to have you reroll a d20 test. 8) Counterspell: You make a spellcasting check (DC 10 + the spell's level) to interrupt the casting of the spell rather than the creature making a Constitution Saving Throw. 9) Hunter's Mark: When casting this using the Ranger's Favored Enemy feature, it does not require concentration, but is cast at level 1. 10) Artificer class is completely revamped. I will email you the PDF with the changes prior to session 1, if you are interested, but your character will have to be on Roll20, as it provides more flexibility with the character sheet. Highlights include: *Automatically get the Mending cantrip *Scientific Recovery: some spell slots back on a short rest *Moved Tool Expertise to 3rd level *Moved Magic Item Adept, Savant, and Expert to earlier levels *Alchemist is almost entirely different *Artificer has some additional cannon features

Equipment needed to play

Internet

Computer

Microphone

Webcam

Safety

How Johnathan creates a safe table

You will need to fill out a Deck of Player Safety (DOPS) before session 0. This just lets me know where your hard lines of things that you do not even want in the game, and what might be hinted at but not outright said. I will discuss these with you at Session 0, just to make sure I have everything in order. My X, N, & O cards are digital on Roll20, so they are pretty easy and obvious to use. After each session, I'll make sure everyone is doing okay, especially if any big emotions occurred doing the game. I don't want something that could have easily been avoided be something that drives you away from the game.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions